TUBERCULOSIS

CALL TO ACTION The Tuberculosis Call to Action (TBC2A) Project, supported by USAID and implemented by REACH, seeks to amplify and support India’s response to TB by broadening the conversation around the disease and involving previously unengaged stakeholders.

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS National advocacy mentorship programme rolled out

REACH envisages a long-term role for trained, committed advocates in policy advocacy, overseeing program implementation, community monitoring, addressing stigma and resource mobilization. To build the capacity of TB survivors so they can take channel their experiences towards strong advocacy, a six-month advocacy mentorship programme for TB survivors and those who have been directly affected by the disease was rolled out. Ten advocates submitted workplans and were each assigned a mentor by REACH. The mentor provides support (either in person, over the phone or email), based on the location and convenience of the mentor and the advocate. The first cohort of advocates will graduate in February-March 2018 and it is expected that they will act as mentors for subsequent batches and will together form a strong group of TB survivors, each with rich stories to share.

Sensitization conducted for Large and Medium scale industries in Patna

REACH facilitated a meeting called upon jointly by the GM District Industries Centre (DIC), Patna, Shri Umesh Kumar, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, and the State TB Cell, to orient and sensitize Large and Medium scale industries in Patna on TB. The meeting saw the participation of representatives from over 20 industries in Patna, and the participants discussed their possible engagement in supporting the RNTCP program in the state through the involvement of PSUs, associations, trade unions, etc, or through advocating for implementing an Employer Led Model for TB care and prevention in the state.

Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers in Bihar engaged in TB awareness generation In partnership with the State TB Cell, Bihar the TB Call to Action project took part in a training programme for block-level volunteers of the National Youth Volunteers of the Nehru Yuva Kendra in Chhapra, Samastipur and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar. The volunteers, through this capacity-building exercise, committed to working towards general awareness on TB, dissemination of IEC materials, engagement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and school-level activities.

National Service Scheme volunteers engaged in TB awareness in Jharkhand

A sensitization workshop was conducted for over 100 youth volunteers from the National Service Scheme by TBC2A in partnership with the Central University in Jharkhand. Dr Ranvijay Singh, National Coordinator for the Central University led the workshop, where a long-term engagement plan with NSS volunteers was discussed.

Updates from pharmacy engagement in the states

In its endeavor to involve community providers in the response to TB, TBC2A continued its work on engaging private pharmacies in project states to refer presumptive TB patients and display IEC material. In Odisha, the pharmacy committee, which was formed in August, met again in September, and a decision was taken to begin trainings in the month of December. In Jharkhand, a meeting was conducted between REACH, the State TB Cell, Drug Director and Chemist & Druggist Association to discuss the role of pharmacies in early identification of TB cases and counselling of patients.

Above: A kit of communication materials, including posters, stickers etc, has been developed in English, Hindi and Assamese for display by the pharmacies. OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS Partnership with The News Minute for disseminating a video series featuring TB Champions

In September, REACH established a pro-bono partnership with The News Minute, a digital news portal, to release a video series featuring TB Survivors and Champions. The videos were recorded in April this year during the Regional Capacity Building Workshop for TB Survivors, and were released (one every two days) in the month of October. The series garnered close to 50,000 views and was shared widely across Facebook and Twitter.

Launch of Daily Regimen for TB in Jharkhand

REACH supported the Jharkhand State TB Cell to officially roll out the Daily Regimen for TB in the state. The launch event was held at the Health Directorate in Ranchi and Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ramachandra Chandravanshi graced the occasion as Chief Guest. A day prior to the launch, REACH also organised a media briefing on the new regimen, and this was attended by 20 journalists from Ranchi.

Communications campaign featuring TB Ambassador Deepika Kumari launched in Jharkhand

In partnership with the Jharkhand State TB Cell, REACH, with support from USAID, developed a set of communications materials featuring Arjuna-award winning Olympic archer Deepika Kumari. This campaign comprises three short video messages (on symptoms and adherence, stigma and daily regimen for TB), two audio spots on TB (one each in Hindi and Nagpuri) and a series of posters on active case finding, daily regimen, etc. This campaign was unveiled at the launch event for daily regimen in Ranchi in October.

Letters of Intent signed with three TB Ambassadors in Odisha, communications campaign being developed

In March this year, REACH had partnered with three celebrities in Odisha: Padma Shri awardees Prafulla Kar (musician) and Sudarsan Pattnaik (sand artist) as well as Shri Kuna Tripathy (actor). In October, the three ambassadors officially came on board as TB Ambassadors, and signed Letters of Intent to declare their commitment to creating awareness about TB. As part of this partnership, REACH will be developing a communications campaign (including video and audio messages as well as posters) on key messages to be disseminated by the state. Shooting for this campaign has already begun, and the official launch is expected in the coming months.

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The publication of this document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of REACH and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.