Речь - Совместное совещание Сети по эпиднадзору за ТБ для ЕС/ЕЭЗ и руководителей национальных программ по борьбе с ТБ (НПТ) в Европейском регионе ВОЗ

Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe

21 June 2016, Bratislava, Slovakia

Ladies and gentlemen, participants of the joint meeting of the EU/EEA Tuberculosis Surveillance Network and the WHO European Region National Tuberculosis Programme Managers, good afternoon.

On 20 April 2016, we announced the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, as the first of the WHO regions to have interrupted the indigenous transmission of malaria. This news comes after years of continuous efforts and inspires us all to work even harder to eliminate communicable diseases. Although TB is far from being eliminated in our Region, I believe we need to stay ambitious and continue our efforts.

Thanks to your hard work, we have the fastest decline of TB in the world: an approximately 5% annual reduction in the number of TB cases. We are also among the first regions to have universal access to multidrug-resistant TB treatment. Despite the progress, however, challenges continue. Drug resistance, TB in large cities and TB/HIV co-infection all need to be addressed. It is crucial to exchange good practices and to scale them up.

My team has informed me that your meeting is proceeding very well. I have noticed your posters being displayed and gather you have been working very hard in adapting your national plan of action, in line with the global End-TB Strategy and the Tuberculosis Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2016–2020, endorsed with its accompanying resolution at the 65th WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2015.

While in Bratislava, I will meet authorities in the country to discuss our collaboration and co-open the 7th Europe Region Conference of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease under the patronage of President Kiska. There is also an initiative called "Run for healthy lungs" tomorrow evening, in which I encourage you to participate to promote healthy lifestyles across our Region.

As you know, under the Sustainable Development Goals and in line with the Health 2020 European policy framework, we prioritize intersectoral collaboration. TB programmes have traditionally worked with other sectors such as prisons and social services for vulnerable groups. As National TB Programme managers, you have a strong role to play in strengthening the bridge between health and development agendas. To this end, TB can serve as a pathfinder for public health in general, helping us to address the inequities that exist between and within our countries.

Looking at the programme of your 2-day meeting, I notice you focus on innovative approaches and integrated care, including preventive therapy, models of care, sustainable financing mechanisms, human resources, social protection, cross-border TB control and care, and new developments such as the introduction of short treatment regimens. I would like to thank all participants, facilitators, chairs and also colleagues from WHO headquarters and our country offices who have been working on this programme. I wish you all a very good continuation of your meeting.

Thank you very much for your attention.