Reaching the poor : challenges for TB programmes in the Western Pacific Region

In the Western Pacific Region, 1000 people die of tuberculosis (TB) every day; many of them are among the poorest and most vulnerable. TB is a of poverty that thrives on deprivation and inequality. Attacking those in the most economically and socially productive age group of 15–54, TB leaves disaster in its wake. The loss of productive labour and frequently unaffordable expense of seeking treatment can thrust TB patients and their families deeper into poverty. When aggregated to the national level, the cost of TB to economic development and poverty reduction is tremendous.

In 1999, WHO's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific declared TB a "regional crisis". Launched in response, the Stop TB Special Project aims to reduce the prevalence and mortality of tuberculosis in the Region by half by 2010. While important progress has been made in the battle against TB, we must strive to reach those most in need–poor and marginalized communities in countries with the highest burden of TB in the Region–to ensure the 2010 target is met.