Respiratory diseases a leading cause of death worldwide, despite being preventable and economical to treat.

New York, Dec. 1 2020 — The global COVID-19 pandemic has strained health care systems around the world. In the developing world, tuberculosis (TB), which shares several symptoms with COVID-19, is often the first sign that a person has HIV. This World AIDS Day, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), is calling on governments, health advocates and non-government organisations to strengthen their response to AIDS and tuberculosis, and to ensure that TB services are maintained throughout their response to COVID-19.

Forum of International Respiratory Societies releases “The Global Impact of Respiratory Disease”
Report outlines major causes of respiratory disease and mortality and lays out recommendations for global action

Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) issues five key points, critical to addressing TB epidemic

“The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is committed to mobilizing all its members to help reach the ‘missing’ 3 million tuberculosis cases”, said Dr Maria Montes de Oca, chair of FIRS. “FIRS members represent 70,000 health professionals working in almost every country of the world, so the capacity to increase case finding and provide TB care that meets the International Standards of TB Care is there.”