The Union prepared the following statements for the United Nations multi-stakeholder hearings on health held on 8 and 9 May 2023.
Dr Kobto Ghislain Koura, Director TB Department, is representing The Union at the hearings about the fight against tuberculosis, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and universal health coverage.
Multi-stakeholder Hearing on the Fight against Tuberculosis (TB)
“Tuberculosis remains a global health emergency. To accelerate international End TB goals we must focus on implementing and supporting the growth of new, evidence-based developments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for TB. We must break the chain of transmission by finding and treating all people with infectious TB. Where there are gaps in the evidence, we must fill them and ensure that a complete approach to TB care is taken, including access to high-quality medicines, management of comorbidities and social support. This can only be achieved collectively: Alone we go fast, but together we go far. It is also important that international donors prioritise TB. This is crucial to our collectively fight against TB. Everyone has a role to play.”
Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
“The COVID-19 pandemic is still having a negative impact on TB control in many countries by decreasing TB notification and increasing mortality due to TB. The TB community is working together to recover from this impact. We are not immune to another unexpected crisis that may further delay our efforts to end TB by 2030. Therefore, it is urgent to invest and help countries to effectively face any future threats.”
Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Universal Health Coverage
“Everyone should have full access to the high-quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without any financial hardship. In low- and middle-income countries, many people prefer to not seek help from a health professional due to the cost. This includes people with TB. They also experience catastrophic costs during their journeys to be free of TB. Universal Health Coverage could substantially contribute to reduce this financial catastrophe and we would like to advocate for the acceleration of its implementation.”