Brazzaville, 24 March 2011 -- WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has called for innovative actions to prevent and control tuberculosis (TB) which continues to be a public health problem to people in the African Region.

In his message to mark Work TB Day (WTBD), observed across the globe on 24 March, the Regional Director said: “Special innovative actions are required to deal with the continuing challenges of TB. Innovations are required in the development of new vaccines and the scaling up of new vaccines and the scaling up of rapid diagnostic test to reduce the risk of transmission of TB. In addition, there is an urgent need for strategies that will strengthen health systems and engage all health care provides (including those in the private sector) in TB care”.