Closing Funding Gaps and Accelerating Innovation Critical in Ending TB, says WHO
World Health Organization (WHO) Director, Dr Tereza Kasaeva, has called for urgent action to end tuberculosis (TB) on World TB Day, emphasising the need for high-level leadership, increased investments, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the epidemic. While global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 74 million lives since 2000, the COVID-19 pandemic and socioeconomic inequities have reversed years of progress, with WHO reporting that estimated TB incidence and deaths have increased for the first time in over a decade.
The theme of World TB Day 2023, “Yes! We can end TB!”, aims to inspire hope and encourage political commitment, enhanced investments, and accelerated action to end the disease. Dr Kasaeva has called on governments and other stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the latest WHO guidance, roll out new tools, and tackle health inequalities to ensure health for all.
[the_ad id=”10542″]
Furthermore, WHO is calling for an urgent increase in domestic and international investments to close critical funding gaps, support the rollout of WHO-recommended TB preventive treatment options, shorter TB treatment regimens, and other innovations, and catalyse strategic alignment between funders, global agencies, governments, and end-users in identifying and overcoming barriers to vaccine development.
On the road to Universal Health Coverage, WHO’s Director-General announced this week the expanded term and focus of his Flagship Initiative for 2023-2027, which features new targets to ensure universal access to prevention, care, and the latest tools and technologies to combat TB.
[the_ad id=”10542″]
TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers, with close to 4,400 people losing their lives to the disease every day. Therefore, Dr Kasaeva has urged highest level participation and civil society engagement in the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on TB at the General Assembly in September. Heads of State and other leaders must prioritise TB on the agenda to step up progress against this ancient disease.
Dr Kasaeva reiterates the collective commitment of WHO to keep the promises made to the millions affected by TB each year. There should be no more excuses and delays in prioritising and investing to end one of the world’s top infectious killers.
[the_ad id=”10542″]
