Although about one third of the world’s population is infected with the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, reaching the Millennium Development Goal to reverse the tuberculosis epidemic by 2015 is in sight. The World Health Organisation’s Stop TB Strategy aims to ensure universal access to diagnosis, treatment and care for all people affected by TB, and drive down TB deaths and disease burden. In recent years, impressive gains have been achieved in reduction of TB cases and deaths: The TB mortality rate has decreased by 41 per cent since 1990 and the world is on track to achieve the global target of a 50 per cent reduction by 2015. In addition, 20 million lives have been saved through the Stop TB Strategy, while new TB tools such as rapid diagnostic tests are helping transform response to the disease.
However, the global burden of TB remains enormous. In 2011, there were an estimated 8.7 million new cases and 1.4 million people died from TB. Global progress also conceals regional variations: the African and European regions are not on track to meet the MDG target by 2015. A great deal of work needs to be done to overcome the main challenges such as case-finding, access and compliance to treatment, drug resistance, and HIV/TB co-infection. Progress in these areas will depend on addressing critical funding gaps. Governments, donors and other partners must therefore intensify their efforts and commitment to ensure that these interventions are fully supported.
As Africa’s leading health development organisation, AMREF is working with governments, institutions, partners, civil society organisations and communities to contribute to the reduction of the burden of disease, including TB, in Africa. Using integrated health interventions, AMREF has joined the global Stop TB Partnership in the ‘Stop TB in my lifetime’ campaign, and is doing its part by working with communities to increase access to quality TB and HIV prevention, diagnostics, treatment and care services.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
