A package of five billion dollars in global funds for prevention, epidemiology, tests, treatment, training and research designed to stop and eradicate tuberculosis in Latin America, reported AHF Mexico.
“In 2022, the reports of the epidemiological surveillance system of the Ministry of Health indicate a total of 24 thousand 37 cases (23 thousand 449 new and 588 new resistant). So far in 2023 the same system reports 3,674 cases of respiratory tuberculosis, 721 other forms of tuberculosis, and 80 tuberculosis meningitis.
Two of the 20 countries with the most and resistant strains of tuberculosis live in Latin America and the Caribbean: Brazil and Peru, respectively. It is followed by Mexico and Haiti.
Therefore, “it is necessary for the public sector to provide adequate information to people and increase the detection of tuberculosis, in addition to the provision of first and second line treatments, among other activities that can be strengthened in cooperation with organized civil society. “for the experience and community projection,” said Guillermo Bustamante Vera, coordinator of the AHF Mexico program.
The World Health Organization (WHO) works in 45 countries with civil society, partners and government agencies to end tuberculosis through a strategy that also includes ensuring universal access to the best tuberculosis medicines, including those that shorten the treatment period.
Also, reduce the number of people with tuberculosis undiagnosed through high-point-of-care testing programs and contact tracing; To focus on the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the design, projection and adherence of programs at the local, national and global levels.
Similarly, TB services are integrated with HIV and primary care funding; universal education in tuberculosis for all health workers in high-value countries, as well as the production of facilitated informational and educational materials.
Implementation of universal TB infection control procedures and procedures to protect staff and patients in health care settings. Health care programs to address new-onset TB to reduce unnecessary deaths and infections.
Likewise, to implement short-term tuberculosis preventive treatment for vulnerable populations, and involve treatment and active ambassadors in campaigns to improve adherence to treatment.
One of the main challenges in the fight against tuberculosis is the high prevalence of tuberculosis/HIV co-infection: 15 percent of people with tuberculosis are also living with HIV. Other factors contributing to the high burden of tuberculosis are living conditions, restricted access to medical care, and insufficient funding for tuberculosis control programs.
Among the conditions of high impact of tuberculosis are poverty, deprivation and lack of access to quality health services. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), by 2021, approximately 30 percent of the population in Latin America will lack access to basic health services, which prevents information campaigns and disease diagnosis from reaching vulnerable communities.
Another challenge in the fight against tuberculosis is the growth of drug resistance. Poor adherence to treatment creates drug resistance, which complicates treatment and generates higher public health costs. In 2022, 588 new resistant cases were registered in Mexico.
According to estimates by the Global Fund for the Response to AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, $13 billion a year is needed for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global goal agreed at the United Nations High-Level Congress on Tuberculosis in 2018. Remember that the root of tuberculosis is part of the sustainable development goal for 2030
Tuberculosis is a curable and preventable disease, but it has not been possible to eradicate it in Latin America because the efforts have been reduced over time and there is no plan with sustainable actions that strengthen the health of people in the medium term.
The AIDS Care Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest organization in response to HIV and AIDS, currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 1.7 million people in 45 countries around the world, including the United States, entities from Africa, Latin America. America and the Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
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