Another year in which KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) positions as a global leader in evidence generation, research, and technical assistance for tuberculosis (TB) programs and global health interventions globally. Through different presentations, sessions, photographs and really useful hand fans, KNCV took part at the Union World Conference 2024 in Indonesia this last week.
The Union Conference 2024, an event with over four thousand delegates, served as a platform to connect with and learn from people from organizations across the world sharing the same goal: a world free from TB. It was also an opportunity to re-connect and strengthen the bond among our KNCV branch offices, international consultants and colleagues.
Among the speakers in the opening session, Ani Herna Sari from Indonesia inspired the conference with her personal story of overcoming TB twice and her call for increased funding, and the amplification of the voices of communities affected by TB. With our participation we were able to witness the impact of innovative approaches to TB care, policy development, and advocacy. Our team presented and participated on transformative initiatives across diverse contexts, underscoring our expertise, interest and commitment to improving the lives of people affected by TB worldwide.
Some of our KNCV-engaged presentations can be summarized here:
- Success of integrated clinical training, mentorship, and the introduction of novel diagnostic tools with the DAPP Malawi LON2 project, reflecting in an improved detection of TB cases among adults and children across three districts in Malawi. (Elizabeth Chamlawira, KNCV Nurse Consultant, Malawi)
- Launch of the USAID – SMART4TB TB Vaccine Preparedness Repository: an interactive platform that keeps track of, and provides an overview of completed, ongoing, and planned TB adolescent and adult vaccine related research projects. (Joeri Buis, KNCV Epidemiologist, Central Office)
- Presentation on the research conducted with our team on stigma and community engagement, and concluded with the following thought-provoking questions: How does stigma manifest in those not accessing care? What are the avenues that we are failing to explore to reaching marginalized communities? (Bianca Tasca, KNCV Researcher, Central Office)
- Strengthened diagnostic landscape and program effectiveness resulting from weekly testing activity reviews, underscoring the value of real-time monitoring over 500 GeneXpert instruments across Nigeria. (Segun Adeshina, KNCV Authorized Service Provision project, Nigeria).
- Innovations in digital tools supporting people on TB treatment for person-centered solutions to ending TB. Several presentations on digital adherence technologies (DATs) as part of the Global DAT Task Force and the piloting of an artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. (Global DAT Task Force)
- The important role of nurses and allied professionals sub-section in the fight against TB. Strengthening of the TB nurses community in the Netherlands and worldwide. (Niesje Jansen, Senior Nurse Consultant & Maruschka Sebek, KNCV Central Office)
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health priority that intersects climate change, infectious diseases, migration and more. It requires devoted human, material and financial resources for tackling upcoming health threats. (Vijayashree Yellappa, KNCV TB Consultant, Central Office)
- Enriching, creative, safe and non-violent conversations about TB to raise awareness and ending stigma with TB survivor and advocate. (Paulina Siniatkina, KNCV TB Ambassador, TB survivor & artist)
The KNCV booth allowed as well for several discussions and engagement with thousands of people interested in the work that we do. Hundreds of people stopping by the booth were deeply interested in the SOS Stool-based testing for TB in children, the smart pill box, and our work in diagnostics, TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) and our Allies Approach training to tackle TB-related stigma.
Connections, networking opportunities and learning on novel strategies for addressing asymptomatic TB, from policy updates to new research agendas, were also part of the key topics discussed during this Union Conference. Discussions held at various sessions underscored the need for innovative infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to mitigate TB transmission risks and prepare for future pandemics. Key takeaways from them included recognizing the transmission potential of subclinical TB cases, the inadequacy of cough-based screening alone, and the urgent need for resilient, adaptive housing in urbanizing and climate-impacted settings.
One thing is certain: in every session, the urgency of action was clear: addressing TB is not just a technical challenge but a moral imperative. KNCV took part at the Union World Conference 2024 and we stand committed to combating TB and TB-related stigma, advancing evidence-based interventions, and advocating for stronger, and more equitable health services with a focus in TB care and prevention.
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