TB is an important cause of child morbidity and mortality, the low priority awarded to childhood TB due to its lower infectivity is inexcusable |
Accurate surveillance data regarding the burden of TB in children are scarce because it is under-detected and under-reported, this has implications for the quality of patient care and the recognition and attention awarded to childhood TB |
There is a lack in research and development of improved diagnostic tools, new drugs, easy-to-dose formulations and effective vaccines to prevent all forms of TB in children of all ages |
Donor interest is lacking and research and programmatic control are under funded |