

Speaker: Khairunisa Suleiman
MSF is the largest non-governmental provider of drug resistant-TB treatment. We are alarmed that, globally, just 12% of people estimated to be in need of treatment using newer TB drugs bedaquiline and delamanid had access in 2017.
MSF encourages Member States to ensure high-level representation of their Heads of State at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB (UN HLM). We also urge Member States to seize the opportunity of the UN HLM to:
MSF calls for a robust political declaration at the UN HLM, with commitments to time-bound, ambitious and measurable national and global targets to close the TB testing, treatment and prevention gaps.
Only 61% of people estimated with TB were diagnosed and reported in 2016.
MSF urges Member States and donors to make substantial improvements in support and funding for TB R&D in order to equitably deliver TB tools that are effective, affordable and suitable. Member states should consider designating products of publicly-funded R&D as global public goods. A healthy pipeline is imperative and open and collaborative research platforms need support to facilitate the development new drug regimens.
MSF calls on Member States to convene a Global TB Cabinet to regularly analyse and confront the epidemic dimensions of TB as part of a “Decade to Defeat TB,” the world’s deadliest infectious disease killer. Empty pledges will not save lives.
A full list of briefing documents and interventions for the 71st WHA can be found here.