Join the campaign to Step Up for TB and sign on the dotted line

On July 16 the Stop TB Partnership and Médecins Sans Frontières launched a campaign calling on all countries to update their TB policies in line with the latest WHO policies within 500 days.

By signing on the dotted line, I support the call for all countries to update their TB policies within 500 days.

For the first time in history, world leaders have agreed to end the TB epidemic. The clock is ticking towards the 2030 deadline agreed by all governments in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

At the current slow rate of progress, the world won’t reach the 2030 targets for TB incidence and death until 2182, nearly 150 years behind schedule. Reaching this goal will only be possible through a paradigm shift in how we prevent and treat TB, as called for in the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Plan to End TB 2016-2020.

We must use all the tools at our disposable. Many countries have yet to utilize these tools, including the latest diagnostic technology, medicines, and treatment guidelines.

The clock is ticking. Now is the time for all countries to update the tools, strategies, and guidelines in line with the latest WHO policies. Once national policies are updated, countries must ensure these policies are implemented countrywide to ensure the paradigm shift needed to end TB.

Join the campaign to Step Up for TB and sign on the dotted line..................................................

In 2015, the Stop TB Partnership and MSF conducted the first ever survey on the status of countries adoption of the latest TB Policies, outlined in our Out of Step Report.

The results of the survey show that many countries need to take bold steps to bring their policies up to date with the latest international standards.

We are calling on all partners to step up and ensure their TB Policies are in the line with these 15 recommendations within 500 days:

DIAGNOSTICS

• No out-of-pocket expenditures for TB tests
• Rapid molecular test (i.e. Xpert) is initial diagnostic for all
• Second-line drug susceptibility testing is available

MODELS OF CARE

• Treatment initiation: TB at primary level, DRTB at district/below
• Compulsory hospitalisation is not required
• Immediate ART is offered to people living with HIV

DRUG REGULATION

• NTP procures quality-assured TB drugs
• Prescriptions are required for all TB drugs (not over-the-counter)
• TB drugs benefit from accelerated registration

DS-TB TREATMENT

• Daily fixed-dose combinations is standard of care
• Treatment, including for children, reflect WHO guidance
• TB contacts are screened, children & PLWHA receive IPT

DR-TB TREATMENT

• DR-TB treatment reflects WHO guidance
• WHO recommended DR-TB drugs are on national EML
• New drugs are available via import waivers until full registration

1. Sign the dotted line by pledging your own or your organization’s commitment
2. Contact your Minister of Health to ask their support to Step Up For TB.
3. Ask your local Parliamentarians to take action (see the list of Global TB Caucus members here).
4. Promote the campaign on social media using the #stepupfortb hastag. Suggested tweet: I signed the pledge asking countries to update their TB Policies and #stetupfortb within 500 days. The time action in now: http://bit.ly/29xyXtz

STEP UP FOR TB - SIGN THE DOTTED LINE flyer

Source: Stop TB Partnership