Overview
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted much of the research and development done in the field of tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnostics, and treatment measures, as well as shifted the focus away from TB care. Lockdowns and the high burden placed on national healthcare systems has prevented patients from accessing TB diagnostic and treatment services, and it is expected that this will contribute to a significant rise in TB cases worldwide, thus reducing the chances of achieving the SDG, EndTB and UN HLM targets.
On World TB Day (24 March) the MEP Lung Health Group will bring attention to this important issue with the free event, ‘Tuberculosis research and investment – lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic’, hosted by MEP Manuel Pizarro (S&D, Portugal, and co-chair of the MEP Lung Health Group).
Organised in collaboration with the Global TB Caucus and TB Europe Coalition, the event is chaired by Dr Raquel Duarte, Secretary of ERS Assembly 10 (Respiratory infections), who will be joined by an expert line-up of speakers. Presentations will focus on the challenges and opportunities for research and development in the field of TB which have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how we can accelerate efforts to end the TB epidemic.
Participants
- Baroness Suttie, Global TB Caucus
- Suvanand Sahu, Stop TB Partnership
- Suraj Madoori, Treatment Action Group
- Nandita Venkatesan, affected community voice
- Scott Boule, The Global Fund
- Lisa Goerlitz, Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung
- Hannu Laang, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission)