The high-level meeting was described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an unprecedented step forward on the part of governments and all partners engaged in the fight against tuberculosis.
This happens a year later Ministerial conference to end tuberculosis held in Moscow last November, which resulted in high-level commitments from ministers and other leaders from 120 countries to accelerate progress towards ending the disease.
Ms Mohammed described tuberculosis as a “vicious epidemic”, which infects some 10.4 million people across the world and is fueled by poverty, inequality, migration and conflict.
The disease, she added, exists in a “vicious cycle that will require a systemic approach that takes into account the social factors that perpetuate its spread.”
Better health and social protection systems, as well as more investment, are needed to end this global health crisis, and better tools are needed to overcome antimicrobial resistance: some 60,000 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis are reported each year.
The Under-Secretary-General called for an approach to ending TB that takes a system-wide approach, promoting the broader health and well-being of entire communities and eliminating “disease-specific silos and single goals”.
While TB affects every country and continent, more than half of all new cases occur in just five countries: in some countries – including Mozambique, the Philippines and South Africa – there are 500 cases per 100,000 people, while in high-income countries there are fewer than 10 per 100,000. Ms Mohammed said even greater progress is needed if the UN is to keep its promise to leave no one behind. side.
However, progress, she added, is possible if efforts to end the epidemic are based on the best scientific data and knowledge, informed decisions, empowered communities and strategic, well-funded action.
Ms. Mohammed said that WHO will lead inter-UN efforts to support governments, working with civil society and all partners to accelerate the response to TB.
Barely a week ago, on September 18, the WHO published its latest Global Tuberculosis Reportwhich shows that countries are not doing enough to end TB and that funding is the most pressing stumbling block.
The meeting ended with the adoption of an ambitious plan Political declaration on tuberculosisapproved by Heads of State, which aims to strengthen action and investment to end TB and save millions of lives.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
