US still committed to the fight against tuberculosis
Mar 26, 2009
Almost a century ago, America was locked in a battle against tuberculosis (TB), which killed thousands annually and was one of the leading causes of death in the US.
Almost a century ago, America was locked in a battle against tuberculosis (TB), which killed thousands annually and was one of the leading causes of death in the US.
Today, even though a cure for drug-sensitive TB has existed for more than 50 years, TB remains a major cause of death worldwide.
It is a disease that hits the poorest and most vulnerable groups, especially women and children. This is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises a day each year, World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, to call attention to the disease and to mobilise action to combat it.
Americans are making major investments to prevent and control TB in countries around the world.
Through our active engagement in the Stop TB Partnership, we are a key partner in intense global efforts to achieve the Partnership’s Global Plan targets to halve TB prevalence and deaths by 2015 relative to 1990 levels.
There is good news to share.
According to The 2009 Global Tuberculosis Control Report, released today by the WHO, TB prevalence and death rates are falling globally, while detection of new cases of TB and access to high-quality anti-TB treatments are on the rise.
In Uganda, TB continues to be a major health problem; it is one of 20 countries worldwide with a ‘high TB burden’ ranking. Statistically, 60% of TB patients screened in Uganda are HIV positive and overall TB detection rates are below global targets. Estimates are that only 51% of Ugandans with TB are detected (global target is 70%) and 67% of Ugandans are successfully treated (global target is 85%).
This year, the American people will support the Ministry of Health and districts governments by investing nearly $11m in TB funding to deliver integrated services for both TB and HIV. US funding is implemented through 19 local partners covering 524 service outlets nationwide.
The US supported efforts to date are demonstrating significant improvement in their TB/HIV outcomes as a result of technical and financial support in integrating TB/HIV services into their overall district plans. For example, we are seeing rapid improvements in key TB and TB/HIV indicators including TB case detection and treatment success.
In addition, the district joint TB/HIV work plans are proving a strong advocacy tool for resource mobilisation and district ownership.
During 2008 alone, the US supported ART funding to 12,770 HIV-positive TB patients and HIV counselling and testing to 17,783 TB patients.
However, much work remains to be done. Neither Africa nor Europe is on track to meet the targets. Because HIV fuels the TB epidemic, the number of HIV-positive TB cases and deaths are twice what was previously thought.
Multi-drug resistant TB threatens to undermine years of progress in TB control, because the treatment requires different and more costly drugs.
New approaches to diagnose TB, coupled with improved health delivery systems and stronger community awareness, are critical to earlier detection and treatment.
The US remains fully committed to working with all of our partners to renew the charge against TB.
The American people have donated $3.3b to the Global Fund since 2002. Almost $1.71b has been approved by the Global Fund for Phase 1 and Phase 2 TB grants in 91 countries. Global Fund investments have provided 3.9 million people with treatment for tuberculosis.
The US is the largest single-country bilateral donor for TB.
On World Tuberculosis Day, the US renewed its pledge to work with countries and the international community to successfully implement the Global Plan to Stop TB.
The lives of millions of people across the globe depend on true international cooperation.
Today, even though a cure for drug-sensitive TB has existed for more than 50 years, TB remains a major cause of death worldwide.
It is a disease that hits the poorest and most vulnerable groups, especially women and children. This is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises a day each year, World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, to call attention to the disease and to mobilise action to combat it.
Americans are making major investments to prevent and control TB in countries around the world.
Through our active engagement in the Stop TB Partnership, we are a key partner in intense global efforts to achieve the Partnership’s Global Plan targets to halve TB prevalence and deaths by 2015 relative to 1990 levels.
There is good news to share.
According to The 2009 Global Tuberculosis Control Report, released today by the WHO, TB prevalence and death rates are falling globally, while detection of new cases of TB and access to high-quality anti-TB treatments are on the rise.
In Uganda, TB continues to be a major health problem; it is one of 20 countries worldwide with a ‘high TB burden’ ranking. Statistically, 60% of TB patients screened in Uganda are HIV positive and overall TB detection rates are below global targets. Estimates are that only 51% of Ugandans with TB are detected (global target is 70%) and 67% of Ugandans are successfully treated (global target is 85%).
This year, the American people will support the Ministry of Health and districts governments by investing nearly $11m in TB funding to deliver integrated services for both TB and HIV. US funding is implemented through 19 local partners covering 524 service outlets nationwide.
The US supported efforts to date are demonstrating significant improvement in their TB/HIV outcomes as a result of technical and financial support in integrating TB/HIV services into their overall district plans. For example, we are seeing rapid improvements in key TB and TB/HIV indicators including TB case detection and treatment success.
In addition, the district joint TB/HIV work plans are proving a strong advocacy tool for resource mobilisation and district ownership.
During 2008 alone, the US supported ART funding to 12,770 HIV-positive TB patients and HIV counselling and testing to 17,783 TB patients.
However, much work remains to be done. Neither Africa nor Europe is on track to meet the targets. Because HIV fuels the TB epidemic, the number of HIV-positive TB cases and deaths are twice what was previously thought.
Multi-drug resistant TB threatens to undermine years of progress in TB control, because the treatment requires different and more costly drugs.
New approaches to diagnose TB, coupled with improved health delivery systems and stronger community awareness, are critical to earlier detection and treatment.
The US remains fully committed to working with all of our partners to renew the charge against TB.
The American people have donated $3.3b to the Global Fund since 2002. Almost $1.71b has been approved by the Global Fund for Phase 1 and Phase 2 TB grants in 91 countries. Global Fund investments have provided 3.9 million people with treatment for tuberculosis.
The US is the largest single-country bilateral donor for TB.
On World Tuberculosis Day, the US renewed its pledge to work with countries and the international community to successfully implement the Global Plan to Stop TB.
The lives of millions of people across the globe depend on true international cooperation.