COVID-19 DERAILS THE FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

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Download PDF From the Global Fund: COVID-19 Situation Report 9 October 2020 The Global Fund Secretariat has provided an update on the use of funds made available to support the COVID-19 response. It has so far approved the disbursement of $806 million, mainly through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), to 106 countries and 12 multi-country programs. The report also detailed the devastating…

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Countries were already falling behind on global TB targets

ABSTRACT Two reports published by the Global Fund and the World Health Organization detail the effects of COVID-19 on the fight against tuberculosis.

From the Global Fund: COVID-19 Situation Report 9 October 2020

The Global Fund Secretariat has provided an update on the use of funds made available to support the COVID-19 response. It has so far approved the disbursement of $806 million, mainly through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), to 106 countries and 12 multi-country programs. The report also detailed the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the tuberculosis (TB) response. TB programs are grappling with limited financial resources and the reassignment of staff, laboratory and hospitalization services to the COVID-19 response, among other challenges. Finally, the report highlights how grant flexibilities and the C19RM funding have helped safeguard Nepal’s three disease responses.

From the World Health Organization: Global Tuberculosis Report 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 2020 edition of the Global Tuberculosis Report on 14 October 2020. The report shows that countries are generally not on track to meet global TB targets. Although there has been a decline in new TB infections and deaths, it is not fast enough, and drug-resistant TB continues to be a threat. The report also highlights the effects of COVID-19 on the TB response. Countries are diagnosing fewer numbers of TB cases compared to last year. New cases are likely to increase as the pandemic negatively affects two determinants of TB incidence: the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and undernutrition. Deaths will also likely increase as a result of disrupted health services.

Read the news release here: WHO: Global TB progress at risk and the full report here: Global Tuberculosis Report 2020