"I have been joining many of them on visits to local neighborhoods, schools and healthcare facilities," Peng said, adding that she is a "proud witness" to their compassion and the progress made in China's fight against TB. She called on people from all walks of life to share warmth and care to "build a community of health for all."
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A proven model for incidence decline
China's progress is exemplified by the practical efforts in Jiangsu Province, where the reported TB incidence rate fell to 21.17 per 100,000 in 2025. A key factor in this progress is a smart screening system that brings advanced technology to the grassroots level.
"In the past, we had to review every single record manually. Now, AI-assisted screening has drastically improved our diagnostic efficiency," Wang Yangzhu, deputy chief physician of radiology at a community health center in Nanjing's Jiangning District, told China Media Group (CMG).
Beyond AI-assisted diagnostics, which now cover over 100 medical institutions in the province, Jiangsu has pioneered a new short-course treatment that slashes the recovery period for drug-resistant TB from 18 months to just six. Complementing this technology is a robust policy safety net: the government provides free drug-resistance screening for all suspected cases and free second-line medications for those in need, ensuring patients can afford the care they require.
This localized practice is a reflection of a broader national achievement. Since 2012, both the incidence and mortality rates of TB in China have dropped by approximately 30%, a decline rate nearly double the global average, according to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration. With a treatment rate consistently above 90%, China has transitioned into the ranks of countries with moderate-to-low TB prevalence while continuing to refine its integrated prevention and control system.
Global responsibility and humanitarian action
China's expertise is also being shared through its commitment to international medical aid. Recently, the 23rd Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe successfully treated a 22-year-old patient suffering from TB with pleural effusion. By combining standard protocols with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to alleviate side effects and boost immunity, the team provided a practical model for TB control in resource-limited settings.
This assistance is part of a long-standing commitment to international humanitarian aid. In 2025, the Chinese government dispatched 1,061 medical personnel to 57 countries, serving over 2.06 million patients, according to China's National Health Commission.