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In the
Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Message
from
DR HUSSEIN A. GEZAIRY
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
WHO EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION
on the
occasion of
WORLD
TUBERCULOSIS DAY
24 March
2008
Amid the warnings from WHO in its recent report
Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in the world
concerning the need to address tuberculosis drug resistance,
the Eastern Mediterranean Region continues to struggle
against tuberculosis, losing more than 110 000 human lives
every year. This is a region which is home to some of the
fastest growing economies in the world, yet here in the 21st
century, this preventable and curable disease continues to
cause human suffering and the loss of much needed
productivity, increasing the burden on economies and
tightening the poverty trap.
There is hope! In recent years, the Region has reported
improved case detection and success rates, with some
countries performing well and others working hard to
improve. Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Somalia and Tunisia have
all remained successful in meeting the global targets of 70%
case detection rate and 85% success rate. Bahrain and the
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya have achieved the 70% case detection
target. However, a lot still needs to be done in the Region.
The average case detection rate is 53%, against the target
of 70%. The responsibility to save the lives of millions
across the Region, and to protect future generations,
demands the collective wisdom of all––governments, private
sector, civil society, media and donor agencies.
This year, yet another step will be taken by the Regional
Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in the direction of
making the Region tuberculosis-free. The Eastern
Mediterranean Stop TB Partnership will be launched in May
this year, in the presence of delegates from across the
world. The Partnership, it is envisioned, will be a promise
from governments, civil society, the media, and the
corporate and private sector to work together. It is
expected that the Partnership will be a catalyst for
empowering and promoting national and regional partnerships;
will foster coordination; strengthen and coordinate
technical and financial resources; promote greater public
and political commitment and investment in Stop TB,
addressing the gaps in implementing the regional plan to
Stop TB; and enhance public awareness.
The global theme for World TB Day 2008 is “I am stopping TB
“ÃÞæã ÈÏæÑì Ýì ÏÍÑ ÇáÓá”.
This day is about honouring the lives and stories of people
affected by tuberculosis: women, men and children who have
fought tuberculosis, as well as nurses, doctors,
researchers, community workers, and the numerous others who
have contributed to the global fight. The theme emphasizes
the need to recognize the importance of each one of the
partners; to capitalize on diversity, strengthening bonds
through similarities, and to aim for a better tomorrow. Only
if each one of the countries of the Region is committed to
stopping tuberculosis through a joint, effective and strong
collaborative partnership, will we have the power to face
the challenges and ultimately end the suffering of millions.
“I am stopping TB”––one region, one voice, one mission.
Let us all,
on this day, ask ourselves, What am I doing to Stop TB?
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