Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership gives an update on the 67th World Health Assembly

Dear Partners and Colleagues,

The 67th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will take place this week (19-24 May) at the UN Palais de Nations in Geneva, bringing together Ministries of Health, UN organizations, and civil society. I am writing to share a brief update on key items on the agenda.

The World Health Organization’s Draft Global Strategy and Targets for Tuberculosis Prevention, Care and Control after 2015 is a major discussion item on the agenda this year. The strategy can be downloaded here and will be discussed by member states on 21st or 22nd May. At the core of the new strategy stands the vision of zero deaths, disease and suffering from tuberculosis and a goal to end the tuberculosis epidemic. The Stop TB Partnership looks forward to monitoring the discussions and will share an update on outcomes next week.

The Stop TB Partnership is working with its partners to ensure TB is on the agenda during the week. This includes a number of side events, supporting the engagement of our partners, and leadership from members of the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board.

The Chair of the Stop TB Coordinating Board, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health for South Africa, will also be attending WHA and delivering a keynote presentation titled 'Tuberculosis: The Opportunity to Reach Zero Deaths in Our Lifetime' at the Meeting of Africa Member State Delegations on 17 May.

Building on this year’s World TB Theme, the Partnership will continue to focus its messaging on the need to Find, Treat, and Cure the Missed 3 Million. The Partnership will have a booth during the week where it will raise awareness of the campaign, hand out materials, and promote the work of our partners to find the Missed 3 Million living with TB.

Thanks to your efforts, Médecins Sans Frontières’s TB Manifesto now has over 49,000 signatures - a historic show of support in the fight against the global MDR-TB epidemic. By signing the Manifesto, you will help reach the goal of 50,000 signatures to be delivered to leaders at the World Health Assembly.

Please feel welcome to contact us if we can provide any additional information.

With best regards,

Dr Lucica Ditiu
Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership