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.