Gates Foundation hands China $33m to fight tuberculosis in 20 cities

The detection, diagnosis and treatment of TB is to be boosted in 20 Chinese cities, helping around 50,000 sufferers each year, thanks to a new partnership between central government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Ministry of Health formalized a deal yesterday that will see the foundation donate $33 million over the next five years to help wipe out the disease in Beijing.

"This tuberculosis control program aims to establish an effective prevention model through the exploration of new diagnostic tools and methods," said Health Minister Chen Zhu.