Joint Monitoring Mission, Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India, Opening Remarks, 3 October 2006, WHO/SEARO, New Delhi.

Opening Remarks By Dr Samlee Plianbangchang Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia At Joint Monitoring Mission Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India WHO/SEARO, New Delhi, India 3 October 2006 Joint Monitoring Mission Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India Briefing Meeting 3 October 2006 WHO/SEARO. New Delhi, India Opening Remarks By DR SAMLEE PLIANBANGCHANG REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WHO SOUTH-EAST ASIA Dr R.K. Shrivastava, Director-General of Health Services, Government of India; Ms Rita Teotia, Joint Secretary; Colleagues; Ladies and gentlemen: With great pleasure, I welcome you all to this briefing meeting. This is the Joint Monitoring Mission of the Revised National Tuberculosis Programme in India. Tuberculosis is a priority re-emerging disease in SEA. In March 2004, WHO declared TB a regional “special project”. This is important because more than one third of all TB cases in the world are in this Region. And because TB continues to be a leading cause of death from communicable diseases in this part of the world. India alone carries two thirds of the regional burden from Tuberculosis. 2 Given this disease burden, the success of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in India means the achievement of TB control in the entire Region. And, in fact, this success is driving the achievement of the global TB control. I am therefore pleased that this joint monitoring mission is being organized to review further progress of India’s RNTCP. TB notifications in India are rising. This reflected better case detection and reporting. However, the possibility of a true increase in cases should also be investigated and verified. I am implying the threats posed to TB control by HIV infection and emerging drug resistance. We also know that TB is undeniably linked to poverty and deprivation. Addressing TB will therefore require consideration of social and economic determinants. These factors are affecting mostly the poor who are at highest risk of the disease. And, who are least able to access the required services. Tackling TB can, therefore, be realized through effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including certainly communities and civil society. 3 The South -East Asia Region, and India in particular, have already contributed a great deal to global TB control. Many of the key elements of DOTS strategy were developed in India. Similarly, many of the components of the new Stop TB strategy, launched by WHO earlier this year, had already been initiated in India. The development of public-private partnerships for TB control is another striking example. Also, the collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS control programmes is growing rapidly. The medical colleges have also been closely involved in TB control in India. In line with the new global strategy, WHO’s South-East Asia Region was the first to develop the Regional Ten-Year Plan to Control TB. This is now complemented by multi-year national plans towards the Millennium Development Goals. In recent years, external funding for TB control in the Region has increased dramatically. This is in particular with reference to the funding from bilateral donors and the Global Fund. 4 We, together with our partners, have vigorously intensified technical support to Member States. This is in response to their need to ensure managerial capacity to implement the additional interventions; and to ensure the best use of available resources. I would emphasize that WHO is deeply committed to supporting TB control in India and in the Region as a whole. And, we will do everything possible to ensure India’s success in TB control. I would also like to recall the important role played by India in tabling a resolution that was adapted by the World Health Assembly last year on sustainable financing for TB control. Widening the base of partnerships by generating sustained interest from donors will guarantee that TB control acquires necessary resources in the years to come. I would draw your kind attention to a number of recommendations on this subject from the meeting of Health Secretaries held in June this year. These recommendations are useful for us in moving forward in TB control. The Secretaries, among other aspects, discussed the new Stop TB strategy. And they expressed unwavering commitment to translating the strategy into action in their countries. 5 Before concluding, let me inform you of a new emerging challenge in TB control. That is the advent of the Extensive Drug Resistant (EDR) TB which has been reported in Africa. It is more dangerous than MDR TB which we have known. This threat will make it more difficult to carry out TB control programme. We have to be alert and be prepared for it. We have to do everything possible to prevent EDR TB in our Region. I wish that this mission not only reviews the recent progress; but also, makes recommendations that the Government of India can apply in moving forward rapidly and effectively in TB control. I once again extend a warm welcome to you all, and wish you all a very successful mission.