Tuberculosis (TB) was once thought to be a retreating shadow of the past, a relic of a pre-modern era destined for eradication. However, as Dr Kamal Amzan, the Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, aptly notes in an article published in the New Straits Times:
“TB is up. We know what to do. We just don’t keep doing it.”
This reality in Malaysia today is a sobering reminder that pathogens do not respect borders, socioeconomic status, or optimistic projections.
We’re currently witnessing a dangerous re-emergence of this ancient killer, with 3161 cases reported by mid-February 2026, a 9.8% to 10% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025. As Dr Amzan points out, if we continue to call these outbreaks “unexpected”, it is we, not the pathogen, who are in denial.
Building a durable prevention architecture requires moving beyond reactionary “fogging and fatigue”. It necessitates a fundamental shift in how we view health security, social equity and the very structure of our healthcare delivery.
Tuberculosis Infections Rising in Malaysia with 503 New Cases in Recent Week While WHO Warns of Under-Reporting pic.twitter.com/iEl2u6fuNe
— Thailand Medical News (@ThailandMedicaX) February 20, 2026
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