Global Coalition for TBI

Global coalition for #TBI as a notifiable and chronic condition at #WHA79 🧠 🌎

#NotifyTBI • #ChronicTBI • #TBIcoalition • #TBIresolution

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Thanks to our team behind the first #WHA78 side event on recognising TBI as a chronic and notifiable disease today!

This is just the beginning of our intersectoral work.

🧠 great discussions and fantastic support from all those attending - let’s keep the momentum going!

[Dr. Hanan H. Balkhy | د. حنان حسن بلخي @HananBalkhy]

At a #WHA79 side event on traumatic brain injury (TBI), I joined partners and Member States to advance a stronger global response to one of the most overlooked public health challenges of our time.

With an estimated 69 million TBIs occurring every year globally, recognizing TBI as a notifiable and chronic condition can help strengthen prevention, surveillance, emergency care, rehabilitation and long-term support, especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the burden is compounded by conflict and displacement, making stronger trauma systems and continuity of care an urgent priority.

I thank Pakistan for formally submitting a draft resolution recognizing TBI as a notifiable, chronic and preventable condition, and Indonesia and Türkiye for co-sponsoring this important effort toward stronger global action on TBI.

Appreciation also goes to the @TBICoalition, @theG4Alliance, the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change @HarvardPGSSC, and the International Health Systems group at the University of Cambridge @Cambridge_Uni for convening this timely dialogue and advancing momentum toward a WHA resolution that puts patients, dignity and long-term recovery at the centre of global health action.

[Kee Park @keepark]

Thank you, @HananBalkhy, for your commitment for the #TBI resolution. Over 130 organizations and 9 member states 🇵🇰🇮🇩🇹🇷🇮🇹🇬🇹🇰🇭🇸🇸🇶🇦🇹🇿are working together to put head injuries on global health agenda.🙏🙏🙏 @TBICoalition @ISGNS_ @HarvardPGSSC @WHOEMRO

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Thank you to our very own @keepark and @TariqNeurosurg for concluding our last Ministerial Panel. Key take home:

✔️the political will is here. We now need to take action and focus on the deadlines!

#TBIResolution #TBICoalition #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

“TBI is a public responsibility. We need to increase public awareness.

We will do what’s needed to push this agenda.”

#TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Representatives from South Sudan remind us:

“This is a multisectoral issue, it is not just health issue.

We have limited surgical capacity. We need to address poor road conditions.”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Dr Hanan Al Kuwari from Qatar and @WHOEMRO representatives are unanimous:

“The goal to pass this #TBIResolution will be achieved. It is a priority in our region.”

#TBICoalition #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Next up for discussion is the timeline: how do we drive political will forward to pass the resolution at the next #WHA in 1 year?

“We need shared goals, collaboration, and continue to work with the ministers”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Hanan Al Kuwari, Ministry of Health of Qatar says:

“Choosing to join this #TBICoalition movement was a no brainer.

This resolution is definitely needed.

There is enough will around the table. We must take this forward.”

#TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Representing @WHOEMRO, Annette Heinzelmann tells us:

“In our fragile region, finding solutions for the acute & chronic TBI burden is key. Our families are affected. We need to strengthen health systems to protect them”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

A clear and direct message from the Sudan’s Health Minister representative:

“we not only support this #TBIResolution, but we officially co-sponsor this resolution and push it forward at the next WHA”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Representing the Ministry of South Sudan:

“We are know as the youngest country. Nor just because we are new, but our population is young. TBI affects them significantly.

We are very proud to support this initiative”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Prof @TariqNeurosurg kicks off our second Ministerial panel on TBI

Representatives from South Sudan, Qatar, and the EMRO region

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Concluding the first Ministerial panel on #TBI, @pja_hutch and @FigajiTony remind us

✔️there is so much to discuss about TBI
✔️prevention and rehabilitation matters just as must as acute care
✔️there are many stakeholders, with different perspectives but a shared goal

#WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

“In Tanzania, we are happy to be here today, and we support this work. Our experience taught us that #TBI is a major problem. We look forwards to partnering to address it”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Guatemala's Ministry of Health says

“The lack of data is one of the largest limitations. We need data, we need to know how to use the data.

TBI has to be seen as a state problem, who is going to pay for it is key”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health in Tanzania says:

“TBI is an alarming issue. Most patients suffering #TBIs are young- our students, our workers, our future.

Delays in care lead to poor outcomes”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

“Road traffic accidents in Pakistan are a daily occurrence. We have been strengthening our emergency services. The resolution is a key next step.”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Officials from @nhsrcofficial say: “our health systems face significant challenges, managing such large populations with great burden of disease coming from injuries.

The economic stress comes directly to families”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

“This international movement is very important. We fully support this movement

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Prof Lem Dara, Secretary of State at Cambodia's Ministry of Health says

“TBI patients need improved care. Ministries of health, transport and more need to come together to prevent rod injury-related TBIs”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

“Prevention is fundamental. A resolution would help to make it a nation wide problem.”

#TBICoalition #TBIResolution #NotifyTBI #ChronicTBI #WHA79

[Global Coalition for TBI @TBICoalition]

Prof Franco Servadei, neurosurgeon and @WFNS_WHO_LC chair, reads a message from Italy’s Ministry of Heath in support of a #TBIResolution for #NotifyTBI and #ChronicTBI #TBICoalition

#WHA79