The WHO Director-General spoke at the launch of the Global TB Control Report , and International Standards & Patients' Charter held at the UN Palais yesterday. He told journalists and guests that according to the global report the trends in progress for tuberculosis were clear and positive, and that TB control works. Referring to the latest report on the situation of TB control in the world today, Dr Lee highlighted the example of 26 countries and areas which have already met the 2005 targets a year ahead of time, and three of the world's six WHO regions which are expected to reach the 2005 targets set by the World Health Assembly for tuberculosis control.However, according to the same report, in 2004 1.7 million people died from TB and there were 8.9 million new cases primarily as a result of the TB crisis in Africa. March 24 is World TB Day. New initiatives are being launched in Geneva and elsewhere to improve access to TB treatments for all, and to stimulate further progress towards the targets.
