Tuberculosis could become the world's leading infectious killer of adults if new drug regimens, already in the pipeline, are not fast-tracked into the market place.
Although curable, the highly contagious mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus is estimated to be killing someone every 20 seconds. World Health Organisation figures indicate that there are 4 400 TB-related deaths each day.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape have among the highest prevalence rates in the world, with HIV/Aids fanning the epidemic. In KZN alone, more than 30% of those with HIV are co-infected with TB.
TB is the most frequent cause of death among the estimated 24.7 million people with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.
"The reality is exploding in our faces," said Eric Goemaere, of Medecins sans Frontieres.
This week, world health leaders will be looking for answers from scientists who have gathered in Cape Town for the International Lung Conference, which starts tomorrow.
In the run-up to the conference, scientists hinted that a revolutionary way of treating the disease would be discussed, with the focus on diagnostics and on the seven promising drugs in the research pipeline.
No new class of TB drugs has been developed in 40 years, and diagnostic methods have changed little in 100 years.
Although scientists were happy with the research and development being done, huge commitment from governments and advocacy groups was needed to ensure that affordable and effective treatments were fast-tracked.
At a pre-conference meeting in Cape Town, Maria Freire, the Chief Executive Officer and President of the TB Alliance, said the focus was on simpler and shorter therapies.
"If we could reduce treatment periods from six months to four months . .
. even to 10 days, we would be on our way to success," she said.
Another issue on the conference agenda will be the development of TB drugs compatible with HIV/Aids medicines.