Collective Power, Attention and Energy Crucial to End TB by 2030: AU Commissioner
Addis Ababa, March 24, 2023 (FBC) – In her Statement to mark the World Tuberculosis Day Ambassador Minata Samate, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission urged member states for collective power, attention, and energy to end TB by 2030.
She said African Nations must join efforts to ensure improved TB awareness, prevention, detection, and treatment.
She added that the significant impact of HIV co-infection among TB patients in Africa calls for stronger integration of TB and HIV-enhanced services.
Increased investment in strategies to reach vulnerable populations is crucial to fulfilling the End TB Strategy (2023-2030), Commissioner Minata indicated.
She explained that the Strategy envisions reduced TB incidence by 80%, TB deaths by 90%, and eliminated catastrophic costs for TB-affected households by 2030; it is achievable if we all work together.
Minata added that ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment and care for the disease across all AU Member States requires adequate funding for TB and TB/HIV services and relevant advocacy, research and innovation activities.
She reaffirms AU Commission commitment in creating enabling environment for sustained political will, needed to eliminate TB and improve the health of Africa’s people.
It is stated that the 2022 Global TB Report illustrates a decline in global spending on essential TB services.