Dear colleagues and friends,
Good afternoon, it’s an honour to welcome you today.
Just three weeks ago, world leaders met at the United Nations General Assembly for the High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis.
They adopted a strong political declaration, with ambitious and concrete targets to End TB.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a large group of civil society representatives at the back of the room, who chanted “End TB, Yes we can” when the declaration was adopted. By the way, I joined them.
It was an incredible moment of solidarity and gave energy to the meeting. Many Member States commented on how happy they were at the energy they saw from civil society.
It was a reminder that we can only End TB with the involvement of civil society.
The guidance we are launching today represents a significant step forward in our global efforts to engage communities and civil society as part of the End TB Strategy.
Tuberculosis kills more than one million people a year, and affects the lives and livelihoods of millions more in communities around the world.
Just as so many communities are affected by this ancient disease, it is essential that communities and civil society join in the collective effort to stop the spread of this global killer.
We recognize that national and local health systems cannot bear the full weight of this burden alone.
That is why it is so important that we have the full engagement of communities, civil society organizations, and people affected by TB in these global and local efforts.
This guidance underscores the complementarity of our health systems and community systems, and the necessity of keeping those who have experienced TB at the forefront of our efforts.
We must listen to their voices, learn from their perspectives and understanding of local context, and take action based on their recommendations.
This guidance is built on the primary health care approach, based on equitable and people-centred healthcare.
TB care must not be just about curing the disease but also about addressing the broader social determinants of health.
It's about providing comprehensive care, support, and dignity to individuals and communities affected by TB.
This guidance is a roadmap and a call to action for all stakeholders in the health system, whether you are a community representative, a health program manager, a health practitioner, or a policy maker.
I thank the WHO Civil Society Task Force on TB and broader civil society and partners that have worked closely with us in developing this guidance.
We know the value you add, and we will continue to engage you and work with you. Your leadership is crucial to the success of our fight against TB.
Your expertise, dedication, and tireless advocacy have been instrumental in shaping this guidance.
I urge each of you to embrace this guidance as a tool to strengthen our collective resolve and empower communities to take the lead in ending TB.
I thank you.