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WHO: Despite decline in deaths, tuberculosis still a global killer
29.10.2015 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Although the number of people dying from tuberculosis worldwide has dropped by nearly half since 1990, the disease killed more than one million people last year, UN Radio says referring to the WHO (World Health Organization) report which highlights the need to close gaps in detection, treatment and funding.
Dianne Penn reports.
The report shows that although the fight against tuberculosis is paying off, the disease ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide.
Thus, the report admits in 2014, 1.5 million people died from tuberculosis (while 1.2 million deaths were attributed to HIV). Most of those TB deaths could have been prevented.
The report is calling for scaled-up services and investment in research to end the epidemic as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As to the report, gaps in detection and treatment are particularly serious for people with multidrug-resident TB.
Also, the report affirms funding shortfalls of at least US$1.3 milliard annually worldwide must be resolved to enable research and to develop new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines.
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