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Today, I would like to focus on the incredibly important role of provincial health leaders like you in working towards Viet Nam’s national target of ending TB by 2035.
Why?
We need active and intensive case finding – at all levels of the health system.
People with TB are often in hard-to-reach or disadvantaged groups. They also don’t always have symptoms. They don’t always come to the TB hospital but instead go to general health centers, including private clinics.
That’s why it’s so important for provincial and district hospitals, including private hospitals, and commune health stations, to be alert to the possibility of patients with TB, so they can be tested and treated.
Provincial departments of health can play a crucial role in ensuring the bridge between TB hospitals, general hospitals, private hospitals, and the other health facilities in their provinces in the fight against TB.
When everyone at every level of the health system helps take responsibility for case finding, we will be able to bring all the interventions that work – testing, diagnosis and quality treatment - to every single person who needs them.
In addition to case finding, we also need investment.
We know that external donor support for TB control will be declining in the future.
So, we need to transition to sustainable domestic financing, particularly at the provincial level.
Investing in TB makes financial sense, with a return on investment of up to 39 US dollars for every dollar invested.
I am looking forward to hearing the outcomes of the discussions today of how your provinces might help to lead on our common goal of ending TB by 2035. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today
I wish you all an excellent workshop!
Xin cảm ơn!