TB response is heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
The Stop TB Partnership Secretariat organized a rapid assessment of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures have on the TB response in 20 high burden countries that represent 54% of the global TB burden, through interviews with National TB Programs (NTPs) and focal points based on a set of open-ended questions. Similarly, the Global Coalition of TB Activists (GCTA) did a worldwide survey through their network of members collecting answers from TB civil society and communities from 16 countries, with data updated regularly.
The results of these assessments indicate that the measures
taken for the COVID-19 pandemic produce significant disruptions
in the TB Programs and the TB response and have a massive impact
on communities and people affected by TB, and especially among
the most vulnerable who are struggling to get their treatment,
care and other types of support.
Therefore, the Stop
TB Partnership and partners call on all governments and
stakeholders to ensure that the TB Progams and operations
continue, without interruption and to ensure that the measures
taken to fight COVID-19 are not having a negative impact on the
provision of diagnosis, treatment, care and other types of
support to people affected by TB, including most vulnerable
groups.
To read the main findings of the NTP rapid assessment, click here.
