SEREMBAN, March 30 — The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country rose by six per cent to 25,739 in 2016 compared to 24,220 cases in 2015.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said apart from that, total TB deaths jumped 15 per cent from 1,696 in 2015 to 1,945 fatalities last year.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its End TB Strategy intends to make the world TB-free by 2035 in which the incidence of TB will be reduced by 90 per cent and its mortality rate by 95 per cent.

"For our country, various efforts will be carried out to ensure Malaysia achieve the target set by WHO,” he said in a speech to celebrate 2017 World TB Day at national level in Taman Desa Rhu here today.

The text of his speech was read by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya. — Bernama