For the first time in India, the city of pearls will host the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) here from October 30 to November 2.
The announcement was made today in Hyderabad ahead of World TB Day (March 24), and against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to eliminate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the official United Nations (UN) target set for 2030.
About 6000 delegates –political leaders, VIPs, the United Nations family, doctors, researchers, nurses, TB survivors and national and international media– are expected to attend the event, Union Executive Director Jose Luis Castro told media here on Wednesday.
He said that the conference theme Ending the Emergency: Science, Leadership, Action focuses on what is needed to ensure commitments become action, and that lifesaving targets are met. The theme resonates strongly with TB, but it also raises awareness that all threats to lung health – TB, air pollution, tobacco and many more — are emergencies that our science, leadership and action need to meet head on.
Mr Castro said “We are honoured to be coming to India and it is our hope that the conference will provide continuing momentum in the drive to elimate TB both in India and worldwide. The fight to beat TB is at an important crossroads, recognized by Mr Modi’s commitment to end TB in India by 2025. India is at the heat of this battle and a fitting host country for the conference”, he added. (UNI)
