Global Plan to End TB to Save Over 10 Million Lives

By Dr Deepu

The world is losing its battle with tuberculosis, which is now the biggest infectious killer globally, causing 1.5 million deaths every year, according to the new GlobalPlan to End TB 2016-2020, which was released Nov. 20 by the Stop TB Partnership. The plan’s targets, called 90-(90)-90, are aiming for 90 percent rates in the three areas of: TB diagnosis, care for vulnerable populations, and treatment. New tools are needed for successful implementation, and the Global Plan calls for an additional $9 billion to create a vaccine, rapid diagnostic tests, and drug regimens (including for drug-resistant TB). The plan will be shared with high-level politicians from around the world at the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa, in December.