A workshop on generating public demand and strengthening the advocacy capacity of civil society for people-centered DR-TB treatment took place in Hanoi, Vietnam. During the event, representatives of civil society organizations and communities shared their ongoing initiatives with partners. The TB Europe Coalition was represented at the workshop by Yuliia Kalancha, Executive Director.
The event was part of the joint SEAR-WPR workshop on planning the accelerated implementation of new WHO tuberculosis policies, which took place from 1 to 4 April 2025.
The four-day workshop aimed to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the latest WHO policies on DR-TB diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and nutrition. It also prepared participants for the effective implementation of new TB policies, contributing to the strengthening of TB governance, prevention, and care across all regions. Additionally, the event sought to provide participants with an overview of innovative screening and diagnostic opportunities for TB.
Approximately 80 participants attended the workshop, including:
Representatives of national TB programs, national reference laboratories, and other key stakeholders from 14 countries with a high burden of TB or drug-resistant TB in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. Representatives of partner organizations, including WHO (Global TB Program, regional and country offices), Unitaid, KNCV, USAID, CDC, the Global Fund, BMGF, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Stop TB Partnership/Global Drug Facility (GDF), FHI360, Partners іn Health, and Supra-National Reference Laboratories. Representatives of civil society organizations from high-TB-burden countries participating in the Unitaid-funded ASCENT DR-TB project.