What: End TB Summit Statement of Action
When: March 15
Where: New Delhi
- The two days ‘Delhi End TB Summit’ concluded on March 14, in New Delhi. The prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the summit on March 13 and was concluded with Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda’s assurance to WHO SEARO region countries in their respective goals of becoming TB- free.
- In the summit, the member countries of WHO-SERO signed and adopted the ‘Delhi End TB Summit Statement of Action’ on March 15.
- Main Features of Delhi End TB Summit Statement of Action
- It identifies the roles, responsibilities and directions of the member countries of WHO SEARO region to make their countries free of this scourge.
- It commends the increased attention, investments and efforts directed at tackling the region’s major burden of tuberculosis, and notes that the response has strengthened further as a result of the Delhi Call for Action, a strategic, action-oriented roadmap initiated by the countries on 16th March, 2017.
- The Statement also expresses concern that most low-burden countries are yet to establish last mile programmes for the early ending of TB, and reiterates the firm intent “to implement a response in each of member nations that is demonstrably adequate for ending TB by 2030 and meeting milestones for 2020 by collectively reaching out to the missing 2 million BT cases and 150000 multidrug-resistant cases.
- LEAD implementation of the national TB responses in countries- by an empowered national initiative that monitors progress in reaching End TB targets to the highest levels of government in Member States.
- “INCREASE budgetary and human resource allocations by governments as well as by their global, domestic and other partners so as to ensure that national TB plans are fully funded.
- ENABLE the best possible care to each and every person, including migrants, the aged and other high-risk populations, living with any form of TB including drug-resistant TB/ HIV co-infections.
- SUPPLEMENT medical care for TB with social and financial protection in a holistic manner.
- The Multi-sectoral and empowered national initiatives in Member States would engage various government departments, the private sector and civil society-including members of the affected community-in monitoring progress and collectively addressing gaps and challenges, reporting to the Office of the Head of Government (eg. Prime Minister’s Office) under the close supervision of the Cabinet of Ministers or inter-ministerial equivalents.
- A national accountability framework will accordingly be established.
