Watch the first High-level Meeting to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.
Overview
The World Health Organization’s first high-level meeting to defeat meningitis was hosted by the government of France at the Institut Pasteur on Friday, 26 April 2024.
In 2020, the world committed to end the intense suffering from this disease, meningitis, that is largely vaccine-preventable. Following a historic resolution from the World Health Assembly, WHO and partners officially launched the Defeating meningitis by 2030 global road map in 2021.
The Global road map details the following priorities for response, care and prevention:
- Achievement of high immunization coverage, development of new affordable vaccines, and improved prevention strategies and outbreak response;
- Speedy diagnosis and optimal treatment for patients;
- Good data to guide prevention and control efforts;
- Care and support for those affected, focusing on early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects; and
- Advocacy and engagement, to ensure high awareness of meningitis, accountability for national plans, and affirmation of the right to prevention, care and after-care services.
Progressive achievement of the Global road map goals by 2030 will avert 2 750 000 meningitis cases and
920 000 deaths and prevent 780 000 people from living with long-lasting sequelae, including deafness, epilepsy, paralysis, cognitive impairment, as well as limb amputation and skin scarring.
For the first time, the financing needs for full achievement of the Global road map have been calculated and categorized to maximize the effect of every dollar invested. Investing in meningitis, will prevent cases, long-lasting sequelae and save lives. An investment in meningitis is also an investment in primary health care, and it will bring benefits far beyond meningitis.
The high-level meeting is a global call to action to boost commitments towards defeating meningitis by 2030. The goal is to raise significant awareness, resources and actions, in the form of commitments from Member States, donors, partners and the private sector.
The meeting in Paris is uniquely timed to be held in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will see a number of athletes affected by meningitis competing. This opportunity will enable significant visibility for the Global road map priority on care and support for those affected. It will also emphasize the links between sport, health, and multilateralism.
Given its suddenness, severity, dire consequences, and epidemic potential, meningitis is a high-profile disease for all countries in the world. The commitments made to defeat meningitis will promote a holistic, end- to-end, comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach proposed in the Global road map. Indeed, the Global road map is a powerful lever, integrated with other initiatives, to advance primary health care, protection against health emergencies and enable more people to enjoy better health and well-being.
The momentum and dynamic generated by this event will be beneficial to the major high-level meetings that will take place in the coming months.
The government of France are thanked for their ongoing commitment to champion global health issues.
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