WHO, ERS Hoping for Major Progress Against TB
Their framework calls for achieving full elimination by 2050 in 33 countries and territories where there are now fewer than 100 cases per million population.
The World Health Organization and the European Respiratory Society unveiled a new framework July 3 for eventually eliminating tuberculosis in 33 countries and territories where there are new fewer than 100 cases per million population. The initial "pre-elimination" phase, aiming to have fewer than 10 new TB cases per million people per year by 2035 in those countries, will be followed by a push for full elimination -- defined as less than 1 case per million people per year.
The framework was developed with experts from low-burden countries and adapted from the new WHO global TB strategy, 2016-35, approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2014. The 33 countries, territories, and areas include seven from the Americas, three from WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region, and two from WHO’s Western Pacific Region. "Low TB-burden countries already have the means to drive down TB cases dramatically by 2035," said Dr. Hiroki Nakatani, WHO's assistant director-general. "Universal health coverage, which ensures everyone has access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship as a result, is the bedrock. The key is to target smart TB interventions towards the people who need them most."