To stop TB - really stop TB globally, the WHO and STOPTB organizations have adopted a shift in the paradigm - from that of reporting only TB prevalence and incidence, risk factors, maps, and the like - to that of bold ACTION.
Principles set forth to guide this shift include:
1. Government stewardship and accountability, with monitoring and evaluation
2. Strong coalition with organizations and communities
3. Protection and promotion of human rights, ethics, and equity
4. Adaptation of the strategy and targets at the country level, with global collaboration
Patient-centered care and prevention, as well as bold policies and supportive systems, are now prioritized. In addition, intensive research is promoted in the current plan.
Many countries have already benefited from research -- new drug treatments and the promise of vaccines -- many in use or in the pipeline now. Each country must participate in the roll-out of these new tools in order to make the long-term goal of stopping TB possible.
