WHAT:
Press briefing by conference call from Global TB Partners Forum in New Delhi, India to outline a new Global TB Plan, the latest data on the growing TB epidemic and the urgent need for new resources to expand treatment, tackle TB/HIV and MDR-TB and invest in new and better tools.
- New data shows TB epidemic is still growing, especially where HIV is causing TB to skyrocket and in regions with alarming levels of multi-drug resistance
- New Global TB Plan shows global TB funding gap is increasing—resources not matching needs for expanding treatment, tackling TB/HIV and investing now in new drugs, diagnostics and vaccines
- India, with the greatest number of TB cases in the world, showcases remarkable 40-fold expansion of TB treatment, but most other nations far behind
- U.S. decline in TB rates is leveling off—warning sign that we must do more globally and at home to fight TB
WHO:
Participants on the phone briefing include:
- Dr. Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB Department, World Health Organization
- Dr. Helene Gayle, Director, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
- Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the foreign aid budget. Senator Durbin has just returned from a fact-finding trip to India and Bangladesh examining TB programs.
- Dr. Anne Peterson, Assistant Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health
- Dr. Ken Castro, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dr. Maria C. Freire, Chief Executive Officer, Global Alliance for TB Drug Development
- Moderated by Dr. Joanne Carter, Legislative Director, RESULTS
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 23, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET.
WHERE:
Dial-in phone conference.
HOW:
To participate on the call, dial-in directly on Tuesday, toll-free, at 1-800-268-8047 (ask for the RESULTS call).
Or, contact Kolleen Bouchane at RESULTS, (202) 783-7100, ext 129 or at KBouchane@results.org, to be connected to the call via the operator.