INVITATION: Stigma and discrimination are recognized as some of the most commonly identified barriers to fight the Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. During the TB Stigma Reduction Symposium: “You have to know my story”, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation will introduce the concept of TB stigma, three stigma reduction interventions, and share experiences implementing these approaches in Kazakhstan, The Philippines and Nigeria with patients and health care workers from these countries. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from and meet TB health care leaders and patient advocates and to experience the tools first-hand.
Reducing TB stigma is essential because it hinders care seeking, contact tracing, outbreak investigations, treatment initiation, adherence and quality of care. Moreover, it deprives people with TB of their rights and the respect of others. Ultimately it can also contribute to catastrophic costs when people with TB are pushed out of their homes, communities and jobs – losing their security, support system and means of income. Stigma not only harms patients, but also erodes health care workers’ commitment to high quality care. An effective approach must therefore protect everyone’s rights as a cornerstone of patient-centered care.
In collaboration with partners, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has developed two stigma reduction packages and piloted them in communities and health care facilities providing TB and TB/HIV in Kazakhstan, The Philippines and Nigeria funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These new interventions are complimented by the existing photovoices curriculum, tailored for TB. During the TB Stigma Reduction Symposium: “You have to know my story”, we will introduce the concept of TB stigma, the three interventions, and share our experiences implementing these approaches in Kazakhstan, The Philippines and Nigeria with patients and health care workers from these countries. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from and meet TB health care leaders and patient advocates and to experience the tools first-hand. More information on TB stigma and these tools, can also be found here.
This activity is part of the Building Models For the Future project, a partnership between KNCV, Hivos, PharmAccess & AFEW International.
Date & time:
21 january 2020
13.30 – 18.00 hrs
Venue:
Madurodam
George Maduroplein 1
2584 RZ The Hague
Sign up for the symposium:
Email Wendy Frigge: wendy.frigge@kncvtbc.org