# TB and primary health care: a synergistic pathway to universal health coverage

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how integrating TB care with primary health care can help achieve universal health coverage and reduce health inequities.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes the synergies between TB control and primary health care to advance universal health coverage.

## Key findings

- Reorienting health systems toward primary health care strengthens TB responses.
- Integrated services and multisectoral collaboration are key to achieving UHC and ending TB.
- Empowered communities and equitable strategies are essential for sustainable TB outcomes.

## Abstract

TB remains a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations and exposing inequities. The WHO End TB Strategy aligns with the primary health care (PHC) approach to advance universal health coverage (UHC) and sustainable outcomes. Drawing on WHO’s recent policy brief ‘Tuberculosis and primary health care: synergies and opportunities towards universal health coverage’, this article highlights the importance of reorienting health systems towards PHC to strengthen TB responses through integrated services, multisectoral collaboration and empowered communities. It explores synergies between PHC and the End TB Strategy, presenting strategies, barriers, and recommendations to promote equity, efficiency, and resilience, to accelerate progress toward ending TB.