[First publishrd in the India Saga]
Appreciating their resolve to take action and urging all countries to review and align national plans with the Delhi Call to Action, the World Health Organization has called on countries in South-East Asia Region to build on recent momentum aimed at ending TB by 2030,.
“The Delhi Call for Action, issued by Health Ministers in March, demonstrates high-level awareness that business as usual is not enough, and that intensified efforts are needed. We have reached a critical consensus; the pressing need now is to translate commitment into action,” Dr Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, said.
Across the Region, TB remains the largest cause of death and suffering from any communicable disease among the most productive age groups. Although the Region accounts for approximately one quarter of the world’s population, it has nearly half the number of new TB cases and close to 40% of TB deaths globally. In recognition of TB’s outsized burden, accelerating progress towards the 2030 targets – 90% reduction in TB deaths and 80% decrease in TB incidence – is now one of WHO South-East Asia Region’s Flagship Priority Areas of work.
As a critical first step in implementing recent commitments, Dr Khetrapal Singh emphasized the need for countries to align national plans with the 2030 target. “By reviewing and amending national TB plans countries will enhance their ability to mobilize and utilize resources efficiently. Good planning is key to establishing the foundations for success,” she said.
The Regional Director likewise highlighted the need for countries to identify the package of interventions best suited to their local needs, whether that means focusing on strengthening TB services, accelerating case detection or investing in research and development. “All countries face unique challenges, meaning that they should each adapt the regional and global strategies to their context. We must avoid taking one-size-fits-all approach, and must instead seek-out and embrace tailored solutions that meet specific needs and challenges,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Singh affirmed WHO South-East Asia Region’s ongoing commitment to supporting countries implement the Delhi Call for Action, including by implementing mandatory case notification and working with regulatory authorities to introduce newer drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant TB. She also reiterated WHO’s continued support for the provision of universal drug susceptibility testing (DST)-guided treatment, for addressing MDR-TB and TB in immunocompromised patients, and for increased focus on the social aspects of TB.
Aarti Dhar, Citizen News Service - CNS
September 12, 2017
