08 Feb Joint Statement of Community, Developing Country and Key & Vulnerable Populations, and Developed Country NGO Delegations
37th Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership Board
Brasil has returned with a remarkable political commitment and made tremendous progress in efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB). The country’s vast geography, diverse culture and huge population present unique challenges in the fight against TB. Despite this, the last few years have seen considerable advances in the diagnosis, treatment, care and prevention of TB in Brazil.
The Community, Developing Country NGO, KVP and Developed Country NGO Delegations are thrilled to participate in the 37th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting on 6 and 7 February 2024 followed by a high-level: launch of the Brasil NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ELIMINATION OF SOCIALLY DETERMINED DISEASES. The high-level event seeks to prioritise a political Declaration for the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB 2023. It recalls the commitments made in the UNHLM political declaration, present the country share of global treatment targets, bring to the fore the remarkable progress made by countries in 2022 and 2023 in increasing access to TB diagnosis and treatment and to lay out upcoming challenges in the efforts to end TB.
We, reiterate and recommit to work closely with all partners in the TB response to eliminate TB, to achieve the UNHLM 2023 targets and commitments, and most of all, to prevent suffering and save lives. Building on the success of community engagement in the TB HLM, we recognize the potential for impact by engaging with the upcoming antimicrobial resistance HLM and we would like to see our community participate meaningfully in AMR policy setting, as well as with other aligned issues, including pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and universal health coverage.
We want to specially recognize and appreciate the support provided to the Community Delegation , Developing Country and Developed Countries NGO Delegation by the USAID, and the Private Sector Constituency of Stop TB Partnership Board. We know that effective advocacy, engagement, visibility and political will requires investment in global and national TB advocacy agendas and call on donors to ensure that the Community, Developing Country NGO, Key and Vulnerable Populations Delegation and Developed Country NGO Delegations are fully funded in support of this work. Consistent, reliable and sufficient support to all four delegations for meaningful engagement in the Board operations is an essential element of inclusive participation and representation of all TB stakeholders.
The growth of CFCS is a significant milestone that the entire TB community should celebrate. We have been calling for this strategic mobilization and coordination for so long – and we congratulate the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat and partners for making this happen. We thank current donors, USAID and France, and call for additional support from other partners in the TB response, including the Global Fund, to sustain and scale up community-led efforts in the fight against TB.
We highly commend the efforts of Stop TB Partnership towards the 2023 UNHLM on TB, especially their support for the creation of the Civil Society & Community Coordination Hub. This initiative has played a crucial role in fostering an informed, engaged and coordinated TB advocacy campaign and was highly valued by all Stop TB delegations. We urge the Board and the Secretariat to secure adequate funding to ensure continued support for the Hub. External evaluations have indicated the importance of the Hub’s ongoing coordination of CSOs to maintain the momentum and interest generated, as well as to promptly address accountability and progress towards the commitments outlined in the 2023 political declaration on fighting TB.
Following the lead of Brasil civil society statement, we call on President Lula to continue his exemplary efforts and use political platforms – such as the G20 he is leading – to secure not only high-level participation but also ambitious plans from other Heads of State and Heads of Government to make strong commitments so that we reach our goals to end TB by 2030. We applaud the inclusion of TB as one of the diseases in the expected results of the Regional Alliance for procurement and Innovation of the Health Working Group and welcome the prioritization of Debt to Health in listed priorities for this years G20 as innovative financing is critical to bridging gaps in TB funding.
The Communities, Developing Countries and Developed Countries NGO Delegations would like to extend our significant appreciation to the Board and Secretariat of Stop TB Partnership in the preparation for this meeting, and for facilitating a meaningful space for the Communities, KVPs, and NGO Delegations to strategize and coordinate in advance of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting.
To end TB, all of us working together in partnership must recall the calls to action from the Deadly Divide report published at the 36th Stop TB Board Meeting and ensure:
- Increased financial resources for the TB response, including for research and development.
- Provide equitable availability to uninterrupted access for newer, high-quality diagnostics and treatments, ensuring minimal travel and out-of-pocket expenses for those affected and vulnerable, including expedited introduction of shorter treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. Provide person-centred, gender-responsive counselling and support services for all people with TB and their families.
- Pay special attention, including with investments, in key and vulnerable populations, who include but are not limited to indigenous and tribal communities, youths, infants and children, pregnant and lactating people, people with disabilities, miners, LGBTQI communities, homeless populations, migrants and refugees, prisoners, people who use drugs and people living with HIV.
- Provide a safe, accessible and affordable adult TB vaccine by 2025.
- Enhance investment in communities and community-led interventions, including peer support, counselling, community-led monitoring and research, capacity building, etc. And finally,
- Create a society free of any stigma and discrimination associated with TB, within the affected person themselves, households, families, workplaces, communities, schools, and educational or healthcare settings.
Finally, we applaud our colleagues and our peers from Brasil and the thousands of Civil Society members and TB community who are making a change in people’s lives as their network continues to grow and thrive. They embody community leadership and a community movement. They welcomed us and shared their vision for a way with the release of their Statement. We congratulate them and look forward to our continuing partnership.
From Brasilia, Brasil – Together we can end this epidemic. Together we can realize a world without TB. Yes, We Can together End TB!!
Community Delegation to STP Board
Developing Country NGO Delegation to STP Board
Key and Vulnerable Population Delegation to STP Board
Developed Country NGO Delegation to STP Board
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