November 19, 2020 - A model bill to combat tuberculosis (TB) in the region was presented at a virtual meeting of the Health Committee of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino). The proposed law defines the authority and institutional responsibility of the State's obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the right to health of its population; allocate adequate and sustainable financial resources and recognize, support and facilitate civil society and community groups.
Latin American parliamentarians and health specialists discussed the serious consequences of tuberculosis, which could be aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and although before the pandemic, it has affected 10 million people in the world, leaving 1.4 million died just last year.
During the discussions, Latin American parliamentarians indicated the importance of taking actions aimed at confronting the disease in conjunction with actions for COVID-19, such as double testing, considering the similarities of the symptoms between the two diseases. They also spoke of the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination, barriers to guaranteeing access to appropriate health services for both diseases.
Parliamentarians agreed to take the bill to the PARLATINO board of directors to continue with the relevant measures.