Tuberculosis is curable but still far from being eliminated

Submitted by banza about 9 months ago

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Photo by Moosealope Despite seemingly low attendance, the conference this year was full of energy and productive discussions leaving participants looking forward to fighting TB and lung disease in 2010.

There is a significant need to advocate for lung disease because 30% of adults globally seek treatment for their respiratory system.

Poverty and lung health was the theme of this year’s Union World Conference on Lung Health, held in Mexico, from 3rd to 7th December, and helped participants understand that the socioeconomic status of individuals can affect their access to information about TB and lung disease as well as their access to the diagnostic and treatment facilities available.

It can also influence their choice of provider and their ability to meet the demands of the TB treatment regimen. The Union brought together experts and advocates to share their latest research, progress, challenges and opportunities.

At the conference recommendations were shared between different working groups. Most notably, the Union’s official statement from the Trans-Border Migration and TB Working Group cited recommendations to ensure the diagnosis and treatment of TB in undocumented migrants (which represents a considerable proportion of the population).

This group has limited access to diagnosis and treatment of TB. The undocumented migrants are identified as those who are not part of the social security system. Based on current experience, existing recommendations on TB control and several international statements on human rights, the following recommendations were made:

1) Health authorities and/or health staff should: a) ensure easy access to low-threshold facilities where undocumented migrants who are TB suspects can be diagnosed and treated without giving their names and without fear of being reported to the police or migration officials, b) remind health staff that they have an obligation to respect confidentiality

2) Each country should ensure that undocumented migrants with tuberculosis are not deported until completion of treatment, and

3) Authorities and the non-governmental sectors should raise awareness among undocumented migrants about tuberculosis, emphasising that diagnosis and treatment should be free of charge and wholly independent of migratory status.

This is just one of many examples that shows that while TB is curable, it is still far from being eliminated.