31 January 2023: WHO is announcing the publicly accessible global individual patient data (IPD) platform for tuberculosis treatment (TB-IPD), an initiative that will increase the knowledge base for normative guidance on optimal treatment modalities for tuberculosis (TB) and stimulate TB research. 

Overview

The Council will facilitate the licensing and use of effective novel TB vaccines catalysing high-level alignment between funders, global agencies, governments and end users in identifying and overcoming barriers to TB vaccine development.

The World Health Organization releases updated guidelines and a supporting operational handbook on the treatment of drug-resistant TB featuring major improvements in treatment options for people with multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB.

12 December 2022: Today is Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the annual rallying point for the growing movement towards health for all. UHC Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ historic and unanimous endorsement of universal health coverage in 2012.  It comes just two days after Human Rights Day that is commemorated on 10 December each year, in recognition of the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s top infectious killers, overwhelmingly affects marginalized people and communities, who are often also faced with poverty, stigma and discrimination, and social exclusion. TB-related catastrophic costs impact a significant proportion of people with TB, pushing many of them further into poverty. People-centred, quality and timely services for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for TB are a basic human right.

A document summarizes the results of the WHO-commissioned full value proposition for new TB vaccines.

On the 3^rd of December every year, the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day aims to promote better understanding of issues faced by people with disabilities, and to mobilize support for their dignity, rights and well-being. This year’s theme “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world” calls for actions to tackle challenges affecting the lives of persons with disabilities through innovation and technology solutions for inclusive development.

The World Health Organization is joining partners in commemorating World AIDS Day 2022, and calls on global leaders and citizens to equalize access to essential HIV and TB services, particularly for key and vulnerable populations.

The World Health Organization will host a webinar on 28 November 2022 to introduce the Framework for Collaborative Action on Tuberculosis and Comorbidities.

Every child has a right to life and to health, yet 1.2 million children and young adolescents fell ill with TB in 2021. Over 200 000 children lost their lives to TB in the same year, and as much as 80% of them had not reached their fifth birthday. This year’s World Children’s Day comes at a time when the world is battling a global COVID-19 pandemic, and is faced with geopolitical conflict, economic downturn and food insecurity, all of which are broader determinants of TB. The impact of these factors on the TB epidemic will be disproportionately felt by the vulnerable, including children.