Experts outline plans to tackle tuberculosis in migrants
The event was anchored by a strategic partnership between WISH and the WHO, emphasising the creation of evidence-based reports and policies
Published: 04:11 PM,Nov 22,2024 | EDITED : 03:11 PM,Nov 24,2024
Global health leaders convened at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in Qatar
Global health leaders convened at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in Qatar to unveil strategies to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) among refugees and migrants. Moderated by BBC journalist Stephen Sackur, the session spotlighted findings from the report “Innovative Solutions towards the Elimination of Tuberculosis among Refugees and Migrants.”
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme and the report's lead author, underscored the challenges posed by the disease. “Refugees and migrants face unique vulnerabilities — from overcrowded living conditions to limited healthcare access — that make TB elimination a formidable challenge,” she said. However, she expressed optimism, noting, “Eliminating TB among refugees and migrants is possible with coordinated global action and a shared commitment to equity and resilience.”
The panel included distinguished experts such as Ms Bience Gawanas, Vice-Chair of the Global Fund Board; Dr Muna al Muslamani, Director of the Communicable Disease Center (HMC); Dr Michela Martini from the International Organization for Migration; Dr Paul Spiegel of Johns Hopkins University; and Joseph Mwangi Cachari of Qatar’s CDC. The group emphasised the importance of the report’s 10 policy recommendations, which align with the WHO’s End TB Strategy and UN migration frameworks.
“This region experiences significant cross-border movements of undocumented migrants. With support from The Global Fund, we’ve initiated a roadmap for TB elimination,” said Dr Martini.
Dr Al Muslamani highlighted Qatar’s achievements, noting a drop in TB cases from 41 per 100,000 in 2002 to 31 in 2023. “Qatar’s centralised TB monitoring system ensures robust follow-up, even for migrants returning to their home countries,” she added.
The session was a key feature of WISH 2024, themed “Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience.” Inaugurated by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the summit hosted over 200 global health experts addressing critical issues.
A strategic partnership between WISH and the WHO underpinned the event, focusing on the development of evidence-based reports and policies. This collaboration also included post-summit implementation strategies to drive actionable outcomes.
As Dr Kasaeva concluded, “With global coordination and a shared commitment to equity and resilience, we can make TB elimination among refugees and migrants a reality.”
The session was part of WISH 2024, held under the theme “Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience.” Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, inaugurated the summit, which hosted over 200 health experts addressing pressing global health issues.
Ahead of the summit, WISH entered into a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), collaborating on the development of a series of evidence-based reports and policy papers, as well as working with the United Nations’ health agency to develop a post-summit implementation strategy.
The summit featured more than 200 experts in health speaking about evidence-based ideas and practices in healthcare innovation to address the world’s most urgent global health challenges.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme and the report's lead author, underscored the challenges posed by the disease. “Refugees and migrants face unique vulnerabilities — from overcrowded living conditions to limited healthcare access — that make TB elimination a formidable challenge,” she said. However, she expressed optimism, noting, “Eliminating TB among refugees and migrants is possible with coordinated global action and a shared commitment to equity and resilience.”
The panel included distinguished experts such as Ms Bience Gawanas, Vice-Chair of the Global Fund Board; Dr Muna al Muslamani, Director of the Communicable Disease Center (HMC); Dr Michela Martini from the International Organization for Migration; Dr Paul Spiegel of Johns Hopkins University; and Joseph Mwangi Cachari of Qatar’s CDC. The group emphasised the importance of the report’s 10 policy recommendations, which align with the WHO’s End TB Strategy and UN migration frameworks.
“This region experiences significant cross-border movements of undocumented migrants. With support from The Global Fund, we’ve initiated a roadmap for TB elimination,” said Dr Martini.
Dr Al Muslamani highlighted Qatar’s achievements, noting a drop in TB cases from 41 per 100,000 in 2002 to 31 in 2023. “Qatar’s centralised TB monitoring system ensures robust follow-up, even for migrants returning to their home countries,” she added.
The session was a key feature of WISH 2024, themed “Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience.” Inaugurated by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the summit hosted over 200 global health experts addressing critical issues.
A strategic partnership between WISH and the WHO underpinned the event, focusing on the development of evidence-based reports and policies. This collaboration also included post-summit implementation strategies to drive actionable outcomes.
As Dr Kasaeva concluded, “With global coordination and a shared commitment to equity and resilience, we can make TB elimination among refugees and migrants a reality.”
The session was part of WISH 2024, held under the theme “Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience.” Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, inaugurated the summit, which hosted over 200 health experts addressing pressing global health issues.
Ahead of the summit, WISH entered into a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), collaborating on the development of a series of evidence-based reports and policy papers, as well as working with the United Nations’ health agency to develop a post-summit implementation strategy.
The summit featured more than 200 experts in health speaking about evidence-based ideas and practices in healthcare innovation to address the world’s most urgent global health challenges.