The Stop TB Partnership is producing a 16-page educational comic book that will provide key information about tuberculosis. The comic book will feature Mr Figo as the main character and will target an audience of children and young adults. The objective is to reach these audiences through a reputable and appealing voice.
The comic book, which seeks to teach children and teens about tuberculosis and how to prevent it, was launched in July 2008 by Dr Jorge Sampaio, the UN Secretary-General Secretary's Special Envoy to Stop TB and the former President of Portugal.
Designed by artist Rod Espinosa with a script provided by the Stop TB Partnership, the comic book is the product of a global competition launched in January 2008. An international jury of cartoon experts, together with representatives from UN organizations, selected Mr Espinosa's design proposal among 22 entries.
Worldwide distribution of the comic book, which is being produced with support from Eli Lilly and Company, is now ongoing in eleven languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Italian, Khmer, Ki-Swahili, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish).