Nepal commemorates World TB Day 2026

Nepal commemorated World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2026 with a week of coordinated activities that brought together youth leadership, media engagement, national commitment and regional collaboration under the theme “Yes! We can end TB! Led by the country, powered by us.”

TB remains a significant public health challenge in Nepal, with a disproportionate burden among vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. The country records an estimated 67 000 new TB cases annually, of which approximately 40% remain undiagnosed or unreported (“missing cases”). These figures highlight the urgent need to scale up early detection, expand access to quality-assured diagnostics and treatment, and address the underlying social determinants driving transmission.

With this context, the recent commemoration demonstrated strong national leadership, active community engagement and growing regional cooperation, reinforcing Nepal’s commitment to accelerate progress towards ending TB and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Advocacy rally

Advocacy rally held on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day 2026 in Bagmati Province, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

The week commenced on 21 March with an advocacy rally led by the National TB Control Centre (NTCC) in collaboration with NYMAT Nepal. The rally mobilized hundreds of youth champions who raised awareness on TB prevention, early diagnosis and treatment adherence. Their unified message underscored that TB is preventable, treatable and curable, and that ending TB requires collective responsibility. WHO personnel joined the rally alongside national programme stakeholders, reinforcing a shared commitment to eliminate TB.

Press interaction and candle lighting ceremony

Building momentum, on 23 March, NTCC convened a press interaction with approximately 50 representatives from leading national media houses. The session provided an overview of the National TB Programme’s progress, persistent challenges and strategic priorities, while emphasizing the critical role of media in reducing stigma and discrimination associated with TB. The interaction concluded with a candlelighting ceremony to honour those who have lost their lives to the disease, creating a solemn moment of reflection ahead of the global observance.

World TB Day national commemoration

On 24 March, the main national event was held at NTCC under the chairmanship of Dr Bhuwan Paudel, Director of NTCC, with Dr Bikash Devkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, serving as Chief Guest. The event brought together over 350 participants, including senior government officials, development partners, academia, civil society and media. Distinguished attendees included Dr Keshav Raj Pandit (Acting Director General), Dr Anuj Bhattachan (Director, STAC), Dr Allison Gocotano (WHO Representative to Nepal a.i.), and Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka (Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme).

Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Bikash Devkota providing his remarks at the event. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

A key highlight was the testimony of a drug-resistant TB survivor successfully treated with the all-oral shorter regimen (BPaLM). Sharing his experience, he emphasized the importance of early care-seeking, treatment adherence and openness in addressing TB, while expressing appreciation for the support received through the national programme.

The event also recognized fourteen individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to Nepal’s TB response. The gold medal for excellence in the National TB Programme was awarded to Dr Prajowl Shrestha, former NTCC Director and Associate Professor at the National Academy of Medical Sciences.

WHO Representative to Nepal a.i. Dr Allison Gocotano providing his remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

In his remarks, WHO Representative to Nepal a.i. Dr Allison Gocotano outlined six priority actions to accelerate TB elimination:

• Invest decisively in TB and primary health care systems
• Accelerate innovation, including near point-of-care diagnostics
• Strengthen integrated, people-centred TB services
• Build resilient health systems
• Address social determinants beyond the health sector and
• Maintain quality of care despite financial constraints

Display of stakeholder signatures committing to ending tuberculosis in Nepal during the commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day 2026. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

Dr Bikash Devkota reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending TB, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to identify and treat missing cases. Dr Bhuwan Paudel highlighted programme achievements while acknowledging persistent gaps, calling for sustained, multisectoral collaboration.

STAC and SAARC TB Day

Unveiling ceremony of the STAC publication during World Tuberculosis Day 2026

Extending the commemoration to the regional level, the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Centre marked World TB Day alongside SAARC TB Day on 24 March. The event, chaired by Dr Anuj Bhattachan, convened representatives from the SAARC Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, WHO, former directors, academia, media and partners. Discussions focused on the regional TB burden, STAC’s ongoing initiatives, and the need for enhanced investment, resource mobilization and cross-border collaboration. The programme also featured the unveiling of new STAC publications, reinforcing knowledge-sharing across the region.