1,300,000 deaths a year from a curable bacterial infection.

A cheap and effective cure for tuberculosis (TB) was found six decades ago.

Yet, about 8,600,000 people develop active disease every year, and 1,300,000 die from it - most of them destitute, and many in their prime.

The principal reason is poverty. Weak health systems, lack of good diagnostic tools, and a 6-8 month long course of treatment all add to the burden.