ACSM at Union Conference, Europe Region

27-30 May 2009 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Submitted by PATH

Advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) for TB control was featured at the 5th Congress of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Europe Region, at a Symposium organized by PATH. Entitled "Overcoming barriers to TB control in the European region: the role of ACSM", the Symposium aimed at exploring some of the challenges and innovative ACSM solutions that countries and organizations in Europe have developed to improve TB programme performance.

Presentations made during the Symposium addressed some of the important non-technical challenges to TB control in the Region as well as how ACSM interventions can contribute to overcoming TB control barriers. Discussions were held about stigma and discrimination in the health-care system and community and effective ways to combat it.

Presentations from the Symposium

ACSM: your ally in TB prevention and care efforts
Amie Bishop, Senior Program Advisor, Eastern Europe, PATH

Sustaining civil society involvement in a post-Global Fund context: lessons from Estonia
Latsin Alijev, Board member, Project Coordinator, Estonian Network PLWHIV, Estonia

TB/HIV policy monitoring and advocacy from a community perspective
Tamari Trapaidze, MD, Project Coordinator, Welfare Foundation, Georgia

Stigma and discrimination in health care facilities and how to combat it
Dmytro Sherembey, Head of the Department of Communication, Policy and Advocacy, All-Ukrainian Network of PLHA, Ukraine

Strengthening interpersonal communication and counselling skills as a means of reducing treatment default
Svitlana Okromeshko, Program Officer, PATH, USA
Natasha Zaika, MD, Program Officer, PATH, Ukraine

Building partnerships among medical institutions, NGOs, local administrations, and patients in reaching TB control objectives
Oleksanrd Akhtyrskyi, MD, PhD, General Director, Specialized Territorial Medical Association "Phthisiology", Ukraine

Advocacy, communication and social mobilization training in Cambodia

Submitted by PATH -- May 2009

With support from USAID and PATH, the National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Cambodia launched a series of ACSM workshops in May, with more planned in June and July. Workshops aimed at deepening participants' understanding of ACSM and how ACSM can be used to support TB activities. Click here for more information.

High-level meeting with Ministry of Health and Professional Organizations

Submitted by PATH -- May 2009

The National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Cambodia held a high-level meeting on TB Public-Private Mix (PPM) DOTS entitled "Involving Professional Organizations in TB Control" on 11 May. Objectives of the meeting included exploring opportunities for coordination, collaboration, and synergies among partners and to define a role the Cambodia Medical Association and the Cambodia Medical Chamber can play in TB PPM. Click here for more information.