VI Reunión de países de baja prevalencia de tuberculosis en Las Américas

Abstract

In April of 2013, the sixth version of the Meeting of Low Prevalence Countries (LPC) of tuberculosis in Latin America and the Caribbean was carried out in Santiago de Chile, which was attended by the heads of National Program of Tuberculosis of Uruguay, Costa Rica, Cuba and Chile. These countries discussed the epidemiological situation and the operational results of the implementation of strategies for the elimination of tuberculosis, which involves reaching an incidence rate of less than 1 case per million inhabitants in 2050. During the last decade, LPC have experienced a slowing of the decline in the incidence of tuberculosis that even resulted in an epidemiological reversal in Uruguay, which makes unlikely the possibility of achieving the goal. Moreover, the operational situation varies between countries, showing the biggest problems in Uruguay and Chile, who do not meet the goals in treatment cohorts. The political commitment of the authorities and the adequate financing of the National Tuberculosis Programme, along with the inter-sector coordination, were highlighted as key elements to meet the challenges that it has the control of tuberculosis in the LPC.