Childhood TB can be solved - if we choose to act

TB is a leading killer of children, its impact rippling through families, communities, and entire countries. While the disease is curable, appropriate treatments designed for children do not currently exist. This is evidence of a longstanding neglect of children with TB. However, TB Alliance, the World Health Organization, and other partners are working to change this. New properly dosed, child-friendly forms of TB treatment are in development and will soon be available. But, the challenge of saving millions of children’s lives doesn’t end there. Everybody has a role to play in ensuring new drugs reach children.

TB Alliance would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance in assembling this piece.

Dr. Jeffrey R. Starke

Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Adrie Bekker

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Dr. Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Dr. Anneke C. Hesseling

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Gwynneth Hendricks

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Dr. Karen du Preez

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Dr. Elisabetta Walters

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Professor Simon Schaaf

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Dr. Piyarat Suntarattiwong

Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health

Dr. Kaewalee Soontornmon

Bureau of Tuberculosis, Bangkok, Thailand

Dr. Cleotilde Hidalgo How

University of Philippines College of Medicine

Dr. Ann Mary T. Tolentino

TB Coordinator of the Mabalacat City Health Office, Philippines

Dr. Benjamir M. Cabrera

Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association (PAPA)

University of Perpetual Help Data Medical Center

Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine

City Health Office Staff of Mabalacat City, Philippines

Ambulatory Pediatric Association (PAPA), Philippines

Dr. Anna Ong-Lim

Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines

Section of Infectious and Tropical Disease in Pediatrics, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital