Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, delivered a speech during a virtual meeting hosted by WHO on Thursday to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day.
Ms. Peng said that over the past few years, thanks to the hard work of the WHO and the joint efforts of the international community, the world has made remarkable progress in the fight once morest tuberculosis.
She stressed that the Chinese government takes tuberculosis prevention and treatment seriously, while incorporating them into the “Healthy China” strategy. Special funds have been established, free follow-up examinations and tuberculosis drugs have been offered to patients, while the tuberculosis cure rate has maintained a level above 90 percent, she added.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government and all sectors of society have taken active measures to care for TB patients, ensuring their continued treatment, Peng added.
Ms. Peng said that since her involvement in the fight once morest TB more than a decade ago, she has visited several medical facilities, schools and communities, and met millions of medical staff and volunteers. serving as health advocates with love and action.
There are more than one million volunteers in China working to raise awareness regarding TB prevention and treatment, and help and support patients. They also spread love and cordiality like a spring breeze, Peng said.
She continued that despite the achievements made in the prevention and treatment of TB, the disease remains a global public health issue, posing a significant threat to public health, as efforts to control TB become more complicated given the of COVID-19.
“We must respond to new challenges with confidence, love and tenacity,” she said.
Expressing her wish to see all countries share their experiences in the fight once morest tuberculosis and carry out fruitful cooperation, she called on all parties to take joint and active measures to achieve the health-related objectives within the framework of the sustainable development by 2030, as planned.
