Assoc. Professor Tharani Loganathan from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya recently participated in an interview on Astro AWANI’s programme Consider This, discussing the timely topic “Tuberculosis in Malaysia — Should We Be Worried?”. The conversation explored the recent increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases and highlighted the broader health system and social factors influencing TB control in Malaysia.
TB in the Spotlight Again
The discussion comes amid a concerning rise in TB notifications. Early 2026 saw over 3,100 cases recorded within the first six weeks, representing roughly a 10% increase compared with the previous year. Experts suggest that the resurgence is partly linked to delayed detection during the COVID-19 pandemic, when routine screening and healthcare access were disrupted. As healthcare services return to normal, previously undiagnosed cases are now being identified.
Dr. Tharani emphasised that while TB remains fully curable with appropriate treatment, the disease continues to persist due to gaps in health-seeking behaviour, treatment adherence, and broader social determinants of health.
Challenging Misconceptions and Stigma
A key message from Dr. Tharani was the need to challenge common misconceptions about TB. She highlighted that approximately 85% of TB cases in Malaysia occur among Malaysian citizens, dispelling the widespread perception that TB is primarily associated with migrant workers.
According to her, this misconception can be harmful. By attributing TB largely to specific groups, communities may develop a false sense of security, while individuals experiencing symptoms may delay seeking care due to stigma or fear of discrimination. Addressing stigma is therefore essential for improving early detection and treatment outcomes.
The Treatment Adherence Challenge
Dr. Tharani also drew attention to one of the most pressing barriers in TB control: loss to follow-up during treatment. Although TB treatment typically lasts six months, some patients discontinue medication after only a few weeks once symptoms improve. This “feel-better trap” can allow the bacteria to persist and potentially develop drug-resistant TB, which is significantly more complex and costly to treat.
Malaysia’s estimated 24% loss-to-follow-up rate represents a substantial challenge to achieving global targets such as the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy.
Socio-Economic and Health System Factors
Beyond individual behaviour, Dr. Tharani emphasised the structural barriers affecting treatment completion. While TB medication is provided free in government facilities, patients often face indirect costs such as transport expenses, lost income, and time away from work. In some cases, fear of workplace stigma or discrimination can further discourage individuals from continuing treatment.
She also highlighted the growing intersection between TB and non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus. With roughly one in five Malaysian adults living with diabetes, weakened immune systems can increase vulnerability to TB infection and complications.
Vigilance Without Panic
The experts concluded that Malaysians should remain alert but not alarmed. TB is not an uncontrollable epidemic, but rather a preventable and treatable disease that requires early detection, public awareness, and sustained treatment adherence.
Dr. Tharani underscored that successful TB control depends on addressing stigma, improving treatment accessibility, and recognising TB as a community-wide public health issue rather than a disease affecting only certain groups.
Reflection: Why This Conversation Matters
This discussion highlights an important public health reality: infectious diseases like TB are closely linked to social determinants, health system accessibility, and public perception. Addressing TB in Malaysia therefore requires not only medical treatment but also policies and interventions that support patients throughout the entire treatment journey.
Engagement with media platforms such as Consider This plays a valuable role in translating scientific and public health insights into accessible information for the wider public.
Acknowledgement:
We thank Astro AWANI for providing a platform to discuss critical public health issues and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tharani Loganathan for sharing her expertise on TB control in Malaysia.
Tags: #Tuberculosis #PublicHealth #SPMUM #HealthSystems #EndTB #UniversitiMalaya
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