A review by WHO South-East Asia found that Member States published over 3,000 TB-related research articles in the past six years, with 60 per cent being original research. However, uptake of research outcomes remains uneven due to knowledge gaps and limited platforms for knowledge exchange and collaborative use.
“Our progress is uneven. Research and innovation capacity is varied across the Region, and the results of these efforts are often siloed and unavailable for collaborative use. The rise in drug-resistant forms of TB remains very concerning,” said Dr Boehme.
Key areas of focus during the virtual consultation include strengthening South-South collaboration, vaccine preparedness, digital tools for patient care and adherence, and efforts to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
Participants will also discuss aligning regulatory processes, promoting data sharing, and improving platforms for knowledge exchange.
A significant emphasis is being placed on identifying operational implementation research priorities, especially in relation to social determinants such as undernutrition and climate change, which influence TB incidence and outcomes.
“Several ongoing innovations are attempting to reach out to marginalised and vulnerable groups through active case finding and providing affected families socio-economic support to mitigate catastrophic costs,” said Dr Boehme. Highlighting the importance of equity, she added, “It is incumbent to ensure equitable access to the benefits of research and innovation, including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics.”
WHO remains committed to supporting countries in translating political commitments into evidence-based actions aimed at advancing progress towards ending TB through innovation, equity, and collaboration.
