Testimony of Dr Mario Raviglione to the U.S. House of Representatives

22 March 2007 - Good afternoon. It is an honor to join you today and to represent the World Health Organization in providing this briefing on the TB and XDR-TB epidemic. I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Donald Payne, Ranking Member Chris Smith and the committee staff for organizing today’s hearing. The Global Threat of Drug-Resistant TB is an incredibly important issue—and if we fail to urgently address it, it could reverse the enormous progress we have made in TB and AIDS care and control over the years. I will address, as requested, the global epidemic, and the impact of WHO and partners' efforts in fighting this global killer. This includes efforts by the Stop TB Partnership, representing over 500 institutions today, and in which US institutions play a key role. I am also pleased to be asked to note in what ways the U.S. Government can contribute further in TB control worldwide and particularly in Africa.