RoT-Oct2006
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Handbook of WMA Policies
World Medical Association ½ R-2006-05-2006
WMA RESOLUTION
ON
TUBERCULOSIS
Adopted by the 57th
WMA General Assembly, Pilanesberg, South Africa, October 2006
PREAMBLE
1. According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is a problem affecting over
9 million people every year and ranks among the leading infectious diseases with an
annual incidence rate of 1%. The Eastern European region is particularly affected.
2. In developing countries, the incidence of tuberculosis has risen dramatically due
mainly to its prevalence in areas with a high rate of HIV/AIDS. The increased move-
ment of populations has also exacerbated the problem.
3. The multi-resistant forms of tuberculosis, a by-product of original bacilli resistant to
the action of the main tuberculosis medicines, also present great difficulties in con-
trolling the disease.
4. Radiological detection and sputum examination targeted at high-risk subjects con-
tinues to be an essential element of tuberculosis prevention.
5. Among migrants, the homeless, prisoners and other high risk groups, such a strategy
is particularly efficient in preventing epidemics.
6. The reactivation of screening and follow-up programmes and the application on a large
scale of rapid and strictly supervised daily treatment should help address the epi-
demic.
7. The vaccination policy for BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) should be targeted at child-
ren from their first vaccination.
RESOLUTIONS
1. The World Medical Association, in consultation with the WHO and national and
international health authorities and organisations, will continue to work for the im-
provement of tuberculosis treatment and surveillance and will also promote surveys of
individual cases, the reactivation of screening and surveillance programs, and the
large-scale application of daily care delivery and treatment supervision.
R-2006-05-2006½ Pilanesberg
Tuberculosis
2. The WMA supports calls for adequate financial, material and human resources for
tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention, including adequately trained health care pro-
viders and adequate public health infrastructure, and will participate with health pro-
fessionals in providing information on tuberculosis and its treatment.
3. The WMA encourages continuing professional development for healthcare profes-
sionals in the field of tuberculosis. Specialized courses on multi-drug-resistant TB are
particularly important.
4. The WMA calls on its National Member Associations to support the WHO in its DOTS
strategy and in other work to promote the more effective management of tuber-culosis.