First Dutch politician signs Barcelona Declaration
The Hague, 25 September 2018
CDA’s Member of Parliament Anne Kuik is the first Dutch MoP to sign the Barcelona Declaration—the international document in which politicians commit to the fight against TB. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, killing 1,6 million people each year. KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation greatly appreciates Kuik’s decision to become a TB ambassador. With her signature, the member of the House of Representatives sends out a clear signal to Dutch politicians and decision makers, in the run-up to the special UN General Assembly high-level meeting tomorrow in New York.
2,300 politicians from 130 countries preceded Anne Kuik (31) in signing the Barcelona Declaration. They are united in the Global TB Caucus (LINK). As a younger member of parliament, Anne Kuik aims to enlighten other youngsters as to the threat posed by this disease: “It is high time for the Netherlands to join the Caucus. Many people think that TB is a disease of the past, but it most definitely is not: TB is still rampant in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Indeed, we ourselves may become infected when we visit these regions, either for work or holiday, and bring the disease plus associated consequences back to the Netherlands. Every day, over 4.000 people die from TB, even though it is a treatable disease. Together, we can eliminate TB worldwide. Of course, merely signing the Barcelona Declaration won’t get us there. In the coming months, I will be campaigning for the global fight against TB.”
The Global TB Caucus has been successful in their bid to get world leaders together to discuss the threat tuberculosis is to worldwide healthcare and the global economy. This dedicated meeting of the UN in New York is tomorrow. As the leading international centre of expertise, the Dutch KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation will of course be attending.
Kitty van Weezenbeek, executive director of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, emphasizes the need for worldwide political support in ending the deadly tuberculosis epidemic. “With long-term political support we can eliminate tuberculosis, preventing unimaginable and unnecessary human suffering and economic damage. It is now up to the world leaders, and KNCV is ready, anywhere in the world, to help convert political support into actual results!”
Anne Kuik
Anne Kuik studied law. Soon after graduating, she started expressing her social commitment as a councillor in Groningen. Since March 2017, Anne Kuik (31) is a Member of Parliament for the CDA, responsible for development cooperation and healthcare prevention policies.
PHOTO: Kitty van Weezenbeek (l) and Anne Kuik.
PHOTOCREDIT: Graciela Rossetto