Data from the World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 indicates that extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) represents a significant portion of Morocco's TB burden. The report, which uses data from 2023, shows that 53% of the country's new and relapse TB cases were forms of the disease occurring outside the lungs, such as in the lymph nodes, bones, or brain.
This proportion is notably higher than the global average for EPTB. The WHO notes that EPTB can be more challenging to diagnose than pulmonary TB due to its varied clinical presentations, potentially leading to treatment delays. Morocco reported an estimated 33,000 new TB cases in 2023, with a case notification rate of 89 per 100,000 population.
The Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection has integrated TB control into its primary healthcare strategy. National efforts focus on early detection and expanding access to molecular diagnostic tests, which are crucial for accurately identifying EPTB. The country continues to work towards the WHO's End TB Strategy targets amid the ongoing public health challenge.
