We applaud the incredible strides made in eliminating diseases and infections such as ending COVID-19 and intensifying efforts towards the elimination of polio. We also celebrate progress made in a number of health-related fields, such as the eliminations of malaria and sleeping sickness in Azerbaijan and Ghana, trachoma and trachoma-like diseases in Benin and Mali, and lymphaticfilariasis and polio in Bangladesh and Lao. We also welcome the development of new vaccines for malaria, dengue, and meningitis and the introduction to 30 more countries of the HPV vaccination with the goal of eliminating cervical carcinoma.
We cannot ignore the devastation of health in countries ravaged by conflict. Gaza’s recent destruction has caused countless people to suffer and disrupted health systems, making it more difficult for communities in Gaza to access essential healthcare. Peace and health cannot be separated. Conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar are examples. We support WHO’s call for an immediate ceasefire in order to ensure a healthy future.
We are encouraged by the advances made in Universal Health Coverage, as well as the commitment of the United Nations General Assembly to eliminate tuberculosis and prepare for future pandemics. These efforts show how governments working together can make the world safer and healthier for everyone.
In these situations, poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and poverty are all factors that contribute to the spread of infectious disease. The global resurgence in cholera is a good example of this. Over 40 outbreaks were recorded by 2023.
Moreover, we cannot overlook the unique challenges faced by thalassaemia-affected communities, who rely on specialised care through hospitalisation, continuous medication on a lifelong basis, and public health services to survive. The interruption or degradation of these services can be a serious threat to the health and life of thalassemia patients. Priority must be given to the needs of chronic patients in Universal Health Coverage.
TIF urges decision-makers at all levels of government to give healthcare a high priority, as it is a critical component of global progress. In order to ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems, it is important to address the needs of people with conditions such as thalassemia. Let’s work together to create a world in which every person has access, regardless of their health status, to the necessary care and support.