Rise up now 4 TB (Run4TB)

Overview

Rise up now 4 TB (Run4TB) is our call action to our leaders on the commitments made at the UNHLM in 2018. Cognizant of the COVID 19 pandemic that is currently plaguing the world, the need for governments to scale up their TB response has never been higher. This World TB Day we call to partners and allies to participate in this campaign outlined below as we call for scaling up efforts to find missing patients, increased TB financing for RnD, treatment and care, adopt and implement necessary policies that will enable equitable and timely access to TB diagnosis treatment and care.

This year our world TB Day campaign was hosted by different partners in 11 countries with various activities done to engage TB stakeholders within the community nationally and globally. This involved partnerships with GFAN organizations to submit an advocacy letter to their minister of health through their National TB Caucus and also to the AU Commision and head of health division. Below are some of the highlights from our Run4TB World TB Day campaign

ANGOLA

From the 22nd to the 26th of March, 2021 A.S.S.C and MIFRO carried out an awareness campaign in communities of the Municipality of Talatona, urban district of the University City about Tuberculosis, engaging the community on TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment. They also engaged the community on COVID- 19 and TB.

They engaged the community on TB stigma and discrimination which have adverse effects on TB patients serving as a barrier to treatment access They participated in the global TB campaign online sharing videos and messages online and also delivered the letter to the Ministry of Health’s office and in the Coordination of the National Program to Combat Tuberculosis,

BOTSWANA

On the eve of TB day in collaboration with the ministry of health and regional partners ACT, Victus Global held successful launch of the network of TB Survivor, which and National Stop TB Partnership as graced by the Minister of Health and Wellness and other dignitaries where one of the TB survivors also shared their experiences.

On world TB day the TB survivors participated in TV interviews and developed a short video clip that was shared on social media. As part of the World TB Day Run 4 TB campaign a small run was organized

ESWATINI

To commemorate the WTBD 2021, Eswatini Coalition on TB conducted the Run4TB fun run marathon around Manzini, the second largest city in the kingdom of Eswatini, Participants of this activity were TB survivors (including colleagues from the TB in the mines sector) from across the communities surrounding the city of Manzini, a total of 17 TB survivors took part in this activity. The run started at 8am with a briefing at Eswatini Coalition on TB’s office where IEC materials (t-shirts and posters) to be used during the run were distributed among the participants. The run route took participants through the high density suburbs of the city, passing busy places like the bus ranks (terminals), malls and the CBD where we ensured maximum visibility by members of the public.

ETHIOPIA

Volunteer Health Services joined the national Tuberculosis program an other partners in engaging and celebrating the champions who support the TB community and work to ensure the voices of communities are heard through policy & engaging policy makers during World TB Day.

They also joined the TB community in online messaging by sharing their messages on facebook Mantsopa joined other partners in commemorating World TB day of 2021, the Ministry of Health through National TB and Leprosy program organized half a day conference to discuss TB preventive Therapy (TPT) to appraise key elements on TB prevention.

NIGERIA

To commemorate this year’s world TB day, DHDC/RIRFHUD collaborated with the Lagos state Ministry of Health to hold a Special Awareness walk with the First Lady of Lagos state Dr. IBIJOKE SANWO-OLU. Other dignitaries present were, The Honorable Commissioner of Health Lagos State, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos state Ministry of Health, The Director for Disease Control, and the Lagos state TB programme Manager. Also present at the event was Daniel Amokachi, the Special Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Sports and Goodwill Ambassador of DHDC/RIRFHUD CFCS project. The event was also attended by relevant TB stakeholders and partners from Lagos state and across the country. The awareness walk was between The Government House to Adeyemi Bero auditorium at the Alausa secretariat.