US and Dominican Republic Are
United Against Tuberculosis
Today, the United States joins the Government of the Dominican Republic and the international and local health communities in commemorating World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. Worldwide, deaths from TB have gone down since 1990, but there is still much to be done as the disease continues to claim more than 1.6 million lives each year. Together with HIV/AIDS and malaria which claim as many as three million lives annually, TB ranks as one of the three leading causes of deaths worldwide due to infectious diseases. About 10 percent of TB patients are also co-infected with HIV, rendering TB the leading cause of death among AIDS patients.
Between 2000 and 2008 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $777 million for TB programs worldwide. This U.S. Government assistance supports the provision of laboratory supplies and equipment, the training of health workers, and other key activities including global surveillance and research on new anti-TB drugs and diagnostics. The U.S. Government is the largest single donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria with pledges exceeding $2.1 billion through 2008. Seventeen percent of support for the Global Fund has been dedicated to TB work.
In the Dominican Republic, the United States Government is confronting this deadly disease with TB Control Assistance Program partners under the leadership of the Royal Netherland Tuberculosis Association, the Global Fund, the Pan-American Health Organization, and Profamilia. USAID funding on such efforts is over $1.3 million annually, in addition to U.S. contributions to the Global Fund. Our efforts have focused on expanding and enhancing treatment; improving case detection; assuring an effective drug supply; as well as addressing TB/ HIV/AIDS and multi- and extremely-drug resistant TB (tuberculosis that cannot be cured with many of the common medicines used for treatment). In addition we are supporting the implementation of the Haiti-Dominican Republic bi-national agreement; facilitating empowerment of the people affected and the community; developing research; and strengthening surveillance systems.
With USAID and Global Fund assistance, the National TB program has been highly successful in increasing access to Direct Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS), which is available at more than 1,000 service centers throughout the country, representing 85% of all service centers. This is an increase of more than 10% over last year. Fortunately, 87% of all TB patients receiving DOTS are successfully treated. Support and quality control are provided to a TB network of 8 regional labs and approximately 164 provincial and local labs. USAID funding has also contributed to the implementation of a logistic system and, with the help of the World Health Organization, the procurement of TB drugs at reduced costs.
The U.S. Embassy congratulates the Government of the Dominican Republic for its commitment to the new Stop TB (Alto a la Tuberculosis) strategy and for its support of next week’s launch of the National Stop TB Steering Committee. The STOP TB Strategy complements DOTS by focusing attention on quality and expansion of services; TB-HIV/AIDS and multi-drug resistant TB; engaging all care providers; empowering people with TB and their communities; contributing to health system strengthening; and research. U.S. Government programs fully support this national strategy.
Even though a cure has existed for more than half a century, tuberculosis remains one of humankind's greatest scourges. Today, as we commemorate World TB Day, we are correctly reminded that TB anywhere is TB everywhere. Until we, as partners, have effectively brought TB under control in the Dominican Republic, we are all at risk. We must work together to reduce the virulent drug resistant strains of TB, increase case detection rates, decrease death rates, and increase the personal responsibility for healthy behaviors. The United States Government is fully committed to doing its part in this effort, side-by-side with our Dominican friends and neighbors.
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