TB Challenges and Support Needs for Effective TB Challenges and Support Needs for Effective Civil Society Engagement in AdvocacyCivil Society Engagement in Advocacy

Alberto ColoradoAlberto ColoradoacTBistas@gmail.comacTBistas@gmail.com

Building a network of TB affected communities Strategic Planning Meeting May 3-4 2012, CCV - Geneva, Switzerland

280,000 TB cases280,000 TB cases

31,000 TB deaths31,000 TB deaths

38,000 TB/VIH38,000 TB/VIH

20092009

TB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the Americas

Invisibility of the problem for political and economical decision-makers as well for NGOs or 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 other activists. Lack of political will and structured comprehensive policies and multisectorial approach to TB.multisectorial approach to TB.

Bureaucracy delays rapid action against TB and a lack of communication and transparency 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 between civil society and TB/AIDS departments. Apparently civil society is only called to actively participate in World TB Day.actively participate in World TB Day.

Lack of sensitivity and awareness by local health authorities, in some areas, civil society 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, 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. isolation and discrimination is felt from some members of the affected communities. Governments react negatively to citizen monitoring in some regions (civil society reviewing Governments react negatively to citizen monitoring in some regions (civil society reviewing and making the TB programs accountable). and making the TB programs accountable).

Lack of organized and well-defined structures for TB-focused organizations, lack of Lack of organized and well-defined structures for TB-focused organizations, lack of financial support to fight tuberculosis.Weakness in organizational capacity within civil financial support to fight tuberculosis.Weakness in organizational capacity within civil society organizations plus apathy in the majority of HIV related organizations or other society organizations plus apathy in the majority of HIV related organizations or other groups.groups.

TB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the AmericasTB Challenges in the Americas

Lack of transparency in the NTPs for support and coordination of advocacy efforts by civil 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.society groups. No sharing of accurate TB data with the community.

Lack of sustainable approach in health and TB policies across regions.Lack of sustainable approach in health and TB policies across regions.

Biological and reductionistic approach to TB and no comprehensive plan for support for Biological and reductionistic approach to TB and no comprehensive plan for support for capacity building and monitoring and evaluation at community level.capacity building and monitoring and evaluation at community level.

Different views, perspectives and approaches from NTPs and civil society groups. Different views, perspectives and approaches from NTPs and civil society groups.

• 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.

Support Needs for Effective Civil Support Needs for Effective Civil Society Engagement in Society Engagement in

TB AdvocacyTB 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.

Support Needs for Effective Civil Support Needs for Effective Civil Society Engagement in Society Engagement in

TB AdvocacyTB Advocacy