On the occasion of the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2017 Global TB Report on 30 October, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) honoured Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme with a Global Leader Award. The Award was presented to Dr Raviglione in recognition of his innovative approach, scientific rigour and dedicated service in partnership to End TB, at a USAID symposium looking at the past, present and future of efforts to end TB.
Speaking at the event, USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for Global Health - Ms Irene Koek commended Dr Raviglione saying, “Dr Raviglione has been at the forefront of the fight to end TB for over two decades. The world has made tremendous progress under his leadership at WHO with the introduction of new drugs, shorter treatment regimens and cutting-edge technologies. Dr Raviglione’s focus on data-driven decision making has benefited millions of TB patients around the world."
The Global TB Report which was released on the day, highlighted that despite progress with over 53 million lives saved since 2000, TB remains the top infectious killer. Progress in countries is stalling, due to gaps in access to care, research and financing.
USAID has been supporting WHO in addressing these issues since the late 1990s and is the largest bilateral funder of TB efforts worldwide, in countries as well as globally. USAID has also supported the development of the Global TB Report for many years.
“We are grateful for the collaboration and support we have from USAID. Our success in curbing the TB epidemic is in large part thanks to the catalytic, innovative and leading role that USAID plays in supporting WHO and countries,” said Dr Raviglione. “I interpret this award as a recognition of the work of our Global TB Programme as a whole, and I share the satisfaction with all my colleagues at headquarters as well as regional and country offices. We are doing our best to fight TB, and this must continue and further increase after my departure from WHO at the end of November.