WHO Report Praises China’s Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Practices, Contributing Expertise to Global Efforts to End TB

China’s tuberculosis preventive treatment programme has achieved notable results and received recognition from the World Health Organization, offering a “China model” that other countries can draw on in their efforts to end the TB epidemic worldwide.

Since 2021, China has built a comprehensive network for preventive treatment. The number of people receiving such treatment has increased from 22,778 in 2021 to 87,034 in 2024, covering key groups including household close contacts, students and people living with HIV.

China has issued a series of technical guidelines and set clear targets in the National Tuberculosis Control Plan (2024 to 2030). The plan calls for preventive treatment coverage among close contacts to reach 60 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2030.

On the basis of World Health Organization standards, China has also introduced local innovations. Infection is detected using the tuberculin skin test, tuberculosis antigen skin test and interferon gamma release assay. Treatment regimens have been refined by adjusting the isoniazid plus rifapentine regimen to a twice weekly schedule. Domestically developed immunologic agents have been introduced, and shorter treatment regimens are being explored, driving continued progress in treatment technologies.

A three tier collaborative network linking disease control institutions, designated medical institutions and primary health care facilities now provides integrated services across the full pathway of screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow up. In parallel, a standardised monitoring system has been established to track key indicators and provide a sound evidence base for prevention and control.

By advancing tuberculosis preventive treatment in a systematic way, China has put forward an effective “China model” for the global goal of ending TB and will continue to contribute Chinese experience and capacity to this endeavour.