UKAPTB statement on Ukraine

UKAPTB are a group of academics and professionals working to influence policy with an aim to end tuberculosis (TB).

Prior to COVID-19, TB killed more people globally than any other infectious disease[1]. Geographically, socially, economically – TB is unequally distributed, fuelled by poverty and conflict including war. We join others in our unreserved condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and call for an immediate end to the violence.

War, wherever it occurs, disrupts the ability of health systems to care for local populations[2], which includes breakdown in the control, management and treatment of infectious diseases such asTB. Lack of access to appropriate care and medication threatens the health and lives of individuals and communities, as well as increasing the risk of more drug resistant forms of TB which are extremely difficult to treat.

Over the past 15 years, the National TB Programme in Ukraine has made huge improvements, significantly reducing the incidence of TB. In addition, the wider health service has undergone radical reform moving towards an NHS-style system[3]. Despite this, Ukraine continues to have one of the highest burdens of TB disease in the European Region – 34,000 people in 2019 were new TB diagnoses[4].  A significant proportion have multi and extensively drug resistant disease. This war threatens to undo years of progress .

Treatment for TB takes at least 6 months for the simplest forms; and adherence is key for cure. For mobile populations, particularly those who are forcibly displaced, access to healthcare is challenging, exacerbated by uncertainty, and exclusionary policies. The UK government has promised temporary visas to Ukrainians fleeing war, including access to healthcare during this period . We believe they need to go further to support ongoing efforts to eliminate TB both nationally and globally.

We must Invest to End TB and Save Lives. We call on the UK government to[3] :

●      Facilitate the safe passage of hospital in-patients with TB in Ukraine to healthcare facilities across Europe, including the UK, so they may complete their treatment.

●      Ensure people diagnosed with TB fleeing conflict have access to the healthcare they need to successfully complete their treatment throughout their journey.

●      Provide adequate social support to everyone with TB and their families to support them in their recovery from this deadly disease.

●      Support everyone to access the healthcare they need, when they need it, no matter their immigration status.

Please join us on World TB Day, 24th March 2022 12.30pm-1.30pm and afterwards for a debate in Westminster Hall to discuss these important issues.