Presentation at the Stop TB Partnership event "Building a network of TB affected communities Strategic Planning Meeting. " May 2012

1. 2009
280,000 TB cases
31,000 TB deaths
38,000 TB/VIH
TB Challenges and Support Needs for Effective
Civil Society Engagement in Advocacy
Alberto Colorado
acTBistas@gmail.com
Building a network of TB affected communities Strategic Planning Meeting
May 3-4 2012, CCV - Geneva, Switzerland

2. TB Challenges in the Americas
• Invisibility of the problem for political and economical decision-makers as well for NGOs or
other activists. Lack of political will and structured comprehensive policies and
multisectorial approach to TB.
• Bureaucracy delays rapid action against TB and a lack of communication and transparency
between civil society and TB/AIDS departments. Apparently civil society is only called to
actively participate in World TB Day.
• Lack of sensitivity and awareness by local health authorities, in some areas, civil society
and TB managers see each other as a threat instead of allied in the response to TB. Stigma,
isolation and discrimination is felt from some members of the affected communities.
Governments react negatively to citizen monitoring in some regions (civil society reviewing
and making the TB programs accountable).
• Lack of organized and well-defined structures for TB-focused organizations, lack of
financial support to fight tuberculosis.Weakness in organizational capacity within civil
society organizations plus apathy in the majority of HIV related organizations or other
groups.

3. TB Challenges in the Americas
Lack of transparency in the NTPs for support and coordination of advocacy efforts by civil
society groups. No sharing of accurate TB data with the community.
Lack of sustainable approach in health and TB policies across regions.
Biological and reductionistic approach to TB and no comprehensive plan for support for
capacity building and monitoring and evaluation at community level.
Different views, perspectives and approaches from NTPs and civil society groups.

4. Support Needs for Effective Civil
Society Engagement in
TB Advocacy
• Consultation and engagement of civil society in the development of evidence-based TB
interventions within national and regional health plans.
• Strategies for reduction of barriers due to stigma, isolation and discrimination against
people with TB, HIV or other co-infections.
• Promote national multisectoral coordination mechanisms that involve civil society,
academia, religious institutions, activists and volunteers.
• Stimulate and facilitate technical cooperation processes between civil society organizations
and governmental organizations.
• Promote and train civil society involvement in monitoring and evaluation of national and
regional TB activities.

5. Support Needs for Effective Civil
Society Engagement in
TB Advocacy
• Sensitization and education activities to break the political, economical and programmatic
silence related to TB/HIV co-infection in the region.
• Advocate and promote civil society inclusion in the political agenda to promote a non-
discriminatory, human rights, social determinants and gender equality perspective that
respects diversity and supports the most at risk population.
• Provide financial support for organizational capacity building to incorporate affected
communities’ organizations.
• Support civil society organizations to implement and sustain transnational cooperation and
media advocacy campaign in the Americas.
• In summary, Equality, Social Justice, Education, Promotion, Training, Capacity building,
Technical Assistance and Financial Support are the main requests from civil society and
governments.