PH Calls for Stronger National, Global Efforts to End TB

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III recalls the global commitment to end tubercolosis by 2030 and calls on the United Nations to collaborate strategically and to fight TB during the First General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the Fight Against Tuberculosis held in New York on 26 September 2018. (New York PM photo)

NEW YORK 11 October 2018 — The Philippines has called on the United Nations to intensify national and global efforts to end tuberculosis.

In his statement at the first ever High-Level Meeting on the Fight Against Tuberculosis at the UN Headquarters in New York on 26 September, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III stated that the enactment into law of a comprehensive tuberculosis elimination plan in 2016 emphasizes the Philippines’ commitment to end tuberculosis and to achieve the country’s vision to be among the healthiest nations in Asia. Secretary Duque also noted the adoption of key technologies to advance TB screening, diagnosis and treatment.

As a final measure, the Health Secretary said that there is a need to work with key stakeholders and providers and enforce mandatory notification of TB by all care providers.

“As one of the 22 high burden countries that account for 90 percent of TB cases globally, it is clear to us that business as usual will continue to kill millions needlessly. This high-level meeting sets the global mood to do thing differently, especially if we want to win this longstanding war against TB,” Secretary Duque said.

He called on the UN and its member states to reaffirm the commitment to end tuberculosis by 2030 by collaborating strategically and taking concrete measures such as financing for TB treatment, and research and development.

The high-level meeting was attended by heads of governments and states, including Ministers of Health to reaffirm the commitment to end the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2030 where they adopted by consensus a declaration entitled “United to End Tuberculosis: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic.”

The declaration recognizes that tuberculosis knows no borders and boundaries and affects everyone regardless of their status. However, the burden of the disease falls on developing regions and countries.

World leaders pledged to promote access to safe, affordable and quality medicines, and finance research and development.  END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/