Africa Public Health Rights Alliance "15% Now" Campaign Issues TB Scorecard

none 08 Nov 2007 – 13:54 (modified on 08 Nov 2007 – 16:32)

by Edwin

At Start of World Conference Against TB, Lung Disease [and HIV] in Cape Town 8 - 12 Nov.

TB Scorecard Reveals That:

4 of 10 countries globally with overall highest TB prevalence are African.
8 of 10 countries globally with highest TB prevalence per 100,000 are African.
All 10 countries globally with highest prevalence per 100,000 in HIV positive adults are African.
Poor Health financing and falling levels of health workers are key factors driving TB prevalence.
SADC is sub-region most hit by TB prevalence in HIV positive adults.
Africa's pivotal countries Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, DRC & South Africa carry biggest burden.
Kenya only country globally to feature in every category of high prevalence rankings.

In a statement of serious concern, Rotimi Sankore?Coordinator of the Africa Public Health Rights Alliance 15% Now Campaign stated:

"In August 2005 African Health Ministers rightly declared rising TB prevalence an emergency but governments and Heads of State in particular have largely failed to act. Many have acted like the proverbial home owner that went back to sleep after being alerted by neighbours to the burning roof". He added that "it is a politically incorrect analogy but it is impossible to imagine a?serious government declaring war and then failing to arm its army. African health workers are fighting a heroic but loosing battle. Due to the abysmally low levels of health financing millions of Africans are unable to receive treatment, and demoralised health workers are being?poached in thousands by more developed countries taking advantage of the situation."

Read the full media statement here

AfricaTBScorecard.pdf (496.58 kB)

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