New York City, USA//- New York City’s Battery park witnessed a vibrant gathering of individuals from across the world on 7 May 2023, as the global tuberculosis (TB) affected community, civil society, healthcare workers, researchers, and representatives from technical support agencies came together for a community assembly.
Speaking of the deadly impact of TB, Obiefuna Arinze Austin, a person affected by TB and activist from Afro Global Alliance Ghana said “We cannot ignore the fact that TB remains a debilitating disease that affects millions of people in all countries around the world.
Reflecting on the fact that investing in the fight against TB is one of the most high-yield investments governments can make to safeguard health and promote economic development Kate O’Brien from We are TB, USA added, “We have seen before that investing in averting TB deaths can bring significant economic benefits! Every dollar invested in this effort returns an average of US$ 43 dollars, making it a smart and impactful investment for communities and economies alike.”
For most people gathered at the community assembly this fight is personal.” We, the representatives of a global community of people affected by TB, are gathered here to remind the world that behind every TB statistic is a precious life, a loved one, a friend.
The community assembly saw the public reading of the open letter to world leaders demanding accelerated action now to make ending TB possible and help achieve a healthier, more equitable, and TB free world. The letter has been signed by almost 1200 individuals and organisations from across the world and specifically calls on governments to prioritise investment in TB vaccine research and development (R&D).
“TB is a matter of social and economic justice. We need new TB vaccines to end TB, mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the global TB response, and control the spread of drug-resistant TB, a key driver of antimicrobial resistance.
“Our demands are simple. We are asking world leaders to take the following concrete steps to fight TB:
- Close gaps in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care by reaching all people with TB.
- Make the TB response equitable, gender-responsive, rights-based, and stigma-free with TB-affected communities and civil society at the centre by 2025.
- Accelerate the development, roll-out and access to essential new tools to end TB, including new TB vaccines.
- Invest the funds necessary to end TB.
- Prioritise TB in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and universal health coverage (UHC).
- Commit to multisectoral action, decisive leadership and accountability.
The Community Assembly was organised by the #2023TBHLM Affected Communities and Civil Society Coordination Hub (Hosted by GFAN), the Stop TB Partnership, and the World Health Organization (WHO). As the community gears up for the Multistakeholder Hearing on TB and the UN HLM on TB happening later this year, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the determination and commitment of the community to continue the fight for a TB free world.