The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new policy brief entitled " Tuberculosis and primary health care: synergies and opportunities towards universal health coverage ." This timely publication presents a strategic framework to align national tuberculosis (TB) responses with the primary health care (PHC) approach, advancing efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
Aligning the TB response with the PHC approach is key to ending TB. The policy brief highlights the transformative role PHC-oriented health systems can play in delivering comprehensive TB services that are equitable and accessible, and in tackling underlying social and economic determinants. Conversely, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating TB services can help strengthen health infrastructure, such as laboratory systems and airborne infection control, and improve engagement of communities and civil society.
"Quality TB care must be accessible to all and not cause financial hardship to truly achieve universal health coverage," said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, WHO. "At the same time, ending TB is intrinsically tied to progress towards UHC and addressing the broader social and economic determinants of the TB epidemic through coordinated multisectoral actions. A primary health care approach is indispensable for delivering comprehensive TB services."
This policy brief builds on the renewed commitments made at the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on the fight against TB, which reaffirmed PHC as the foundation for ending TB. It offers actionable recommendations for integrating TB prevention and care into PHC-oriented health systems and for fostering joint planning across sectors to ensure sustainability, equity, and impact.
"Reorienting programmes focusing on specific diseases, such as TB, towards the PHC approach goes far beyond technical considerations," said Dr Suraya Dalil, WHO. "It calls for proactive, flexible strategies that connect with stakeholders at every level, always placing compassion at the core of our efforts."
WHO will continue to work with countries and partners to translate the ideas outlined in this policy brief into tailored, actionable strategies that strengthen PHC-oriented health systems and accelerate progress towards ending TB and achieving UHC.
