TB and UHC: Leave no one behind Statement for UNHML Civil Society Hearings, 8-9 May 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted access to tuberculosis (TB) services leaving vulnerable people behind in accessing prevention and care. Efforts to get back on track to End TB and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are linked.
UHC and Tuberculosis are mutually supportive. TB programs build on health systems knowledge from UHC efforts, while UHC communities can lean on TB programs by leveraging their experience in addressing disease specific mechanisms. TB programs have demonstrated the importance of community engagement, surveillance, and access to diagnostics and treatment, all crucial components of UHC. Integration of TB services into broader policies allows governments to leverage the strengths of both programs, for communities to receive comprehensive health services.
This report provides details on the integration and the key asks from the TB and UHC community