TB 2020 World Herald

The latest WHO news and updates

Dear colleagues and friends,

TBC World Day, this year, comes at a sobering moment – as the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights solidarity with those who are affected, those who are primarily in the fight against COVID-19, and those who are continuing their support efforts
suffering from long-standing health problems such as TB, HIV and other diseases. However, we cannot forget the millions and their families who are battling TB every day and losing their lives from this ancient disease – which remains the world’s top
an infectious killer.

As WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus eloquently pointed out in yesterday’s briefing on COVID-19, “I want to remind everyone that even though COVID-19 dominates the world’s attention – there is another respirator
a disease that can be prevented and cured but kills 1.5 million people every year – this disease is tuberculosis “

“It’s time,” the focus this year for World TB Day is to urgently accelerate TB responses to save lives and end suffering, even in times of crisis. This will be crucial if we are to achieve our goals and commitments
by Heads of State at the 2018 high-level UN meeting on TB.

To date, we have made important strides against the TB epidemic.

Last year, we announced that more people were treating tuberculosis in their lives by saving in 2018 than ever before, largely because of improved detection and diagnosis. Globally, 7 million people have been diagnosed and treated for TBB – compared to 6.4 million in 2017
– enabling the world to meet one of the milestones of the goals of the United Nations political declaration on TB and the flagship initiative of the Director-General of WHO Find.Treat. Each TB together with the Stop TB Partnership and the Global Fund. This one
it was a big win for the TB community.

WHO is working with countries to develop important guidelines, including the comprehensive TB prevention package released today and updated TBB guidelines to promote the use of all oral regimens for patients with drug-resistant TB,
it would be helpful – especially at this time, when visiting health centers is a challenge. Furthermore, WHO has developed a note to guide and urge countries to ensure continuity of anti-TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are strengthening cooperation with civil society – more information was highlighted in the Civil Society Workforce Progress Review published today.

Youth mobilization is increasing through the WHO 1 + 1 Youth Initiative for TB Suppression and the Global Tuberculosis Declaration. Multisectoral responsibility is being promoted in countries through our framework and we have completed a new global strategy
on TB research and innovation, this will be reviewed by the World Health Assembly.

However, the gains we have made are in jeopardy – if commitment and action are weakened, especially in times of crisis.

We are at a crossroads and need to join forces to take the path of success that will save lives and end suffering.

Today, I was especially heartbroken to see the TB community come together like never before. We all took our events to the virtual realm because of the COVID-19 lock. WHO Online Online this afternoon had a strong line of speakers that included,
Survivors and advocates of tuberculosis, civil society, high-level government representatives, heads of agencies, researchers and partners. As of this evening, we have exceeded 10,000 views on YouTube. I also participated in the City Hall with Stop TB Partners.
Our concerted efforts have indeed ensured the constant illumination of TB illuminators and clearly shows that regardless of the obstacles, we can surpass it if we work together.

I am proud to virtually stand side by side with all of you and once again recommend for the fight against TB until we reach the finish line.

It is time to fulfill our promises and ensure that no one is left behind.

Time to end TB!

Dr. Teresa Kasaeva
Director
A global program against TB
World Health Organization

TB World Day

Against the backdrop of the global battle against COVID-19, WHO organized a special Internet talk show to mark World TB Day 2020. The interview had a strong line of speakers among TB survivors and advocates, civil society and high-level government. .
agency heads, researchers and partners. The video was streamed live on WHO’s Youtube channel, which exceeded over 10,000 views in a matter of hours. Watch a video from the talk show

The focus on preventative TB treatment

WHO’s new TB prevention recommendations aim to save millions of lives

March 24, 2020 News

Geneva – The guidelines of the New World Health Organization (WHO) will help countries accelerate efforts to curb tuberculosis (TB) disease by providing them with preventative treatment. A quarter of the world’s population
is estimated to be infected with TB. These people are neither sick nor contagious. However, they are at increased risk of developing TB disease, especially those with impaired immunity. Offering them with preventative treatment for tuberculosis will not only protect them
from the disease, but also reduce the risk of transmission in the community. Read more

The complete package is available below and with us Campaign page for World TB Day

TB Task Force: Reviewing Progress

The WHO Civil Society Task Force provides a platform for meaningful civil society engagement, building on the Director-General’s commitment, with a focus on harnessing untapped potential in collaboration with civil society and affected communities.
at all levels. To mark World TB Day 2020, the task force released a Progress Review outlining key achievements since its inception in 2018.

Access link here

WHO eTB Guidelines: A Digital Platform for Promoting Worship of Tuberculosis Recommendations

TBC Global Program / McMaster University

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Program, in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, is developing a smart platform to improve access to and use of all WHO tuberculosis prevention and care recommendations. The WHO eTB Guidelines Platform will make it easier
adoption, adaptation and implementation (“worship”) of country-by-country recommendations through continuity of care. This digital platform will provide a variety of users – TB program leaders, including healthcare professionals
nurses, researchers, patients and affected communities – with easy access to all the essential information on WHO’s current TB guidelines.

The first set of recommendations for preventative TB treatment was released on this new platform on World TB Day.

ETB Guidelines Platform

graphical representation

TB and COVID-19

March 24, 2020 News

Geneva – As the world rallies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that basic health services and operations continue to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or medical conditions. Health service,
including national TB programs, it is necessary to actively participate in ensuring effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained. Read more

Let’s never forget: It’s time to end tuberculosis

Ksenia Schenina

Ksenia Schenina

March 24, 2020 A photographic story

On World TB Day, the theme – “His Time” emphasizes the urgency of ending the TB epidemic. TB survivor and advocate, Ksenia Schenina, talks about her battle with illness, the persistence of stigma and the role that memory can play
in the fight against it. Through his memorial project, TB wants to remember those who have passed away from this terrible and ancient disease. “We’re doing it to show what kind of people they were – what kind of things they liked, what kind of music
they also listened to their favorite movies; if they loved fishing or dreamed of flying into space, ”she says. Read more

Comment

To stop TB, we need to invest in research and innovation

March 24, 2020 Comment

If the world wants to end anywhere against TB, a disease that killed more than 1.5 million people in 2018, something has to change.

TB is still the world’s leading infectious killer, but in the last 50 years, only three new drugs and regimens have been developed to combat the disease. “We need more research and more preparation tools; better diagnostics,
more effective vaccines and safer, shorter drug regimens, “explains Dr. Teresa Kasaeva, director of the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Program. Read more

Emily: A Day in the Life of a TB Nurse

Maria Emily C. Ballesteros

Check out this story about Emily, a nurse who administers the Tuguegarao City Office of Tuberculosis (TB) program. Her dream for Tuguegarao is to one day see a zero case of TB and not die from this contagious disease. Nurses and health care professionals
play a critical role in TB prevention and care. It is time to invest in them to improve health for all. Thanks to all the nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals who work on #EndTB! Watch the video

Updates and messages

The new research tool supports the rise of digital technologies by the end of TB

March 24, 2020 TDR news

National efforts to combat tuberculosis are increasingly incorporating digital technologies, such as mobile adherence support applications and electronic surveillance systems that enable real-time monitoring of TB in the country. Read more

TB TB 2020: Time for solidarity

March 24, 2020 HIV / TB news

At this unique time in history when the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization’s Division of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Program stands in solidarity with governments and communities as they strive to maintain health services
continue to address the needs of patients with HIV and tuberculosis (TB). Read more

New, shorter treatment to prevent the spread of TB in five countries with large numbers of TB

March 24, 2020 news

A three-month regimen expected to prevent tuberculosis in people at highest risk of developing the disease, including people living with HIV and children under five
Today, the Aurum Institute and its partners, as part of the IMPAACT4TB project, announced that five high-burden countries against TB will introduce a new, shorter drug regimen (known as 3HP) to prevent TB. The announcement comes as countries around the world mark World TB Day, held annually on March 24th. Countries that will initially provide a new funding regime from Unitaid, the US PEPFAR and the Global Fund include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The project will deliver over 120,000 patient courses in 3HP in 2020. An additional one million patient courses are expected to reach low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year, with combined support from Unitaid, Global Fund, Global Stop Facility – GDF and PEPFAR. Read more