Reflections from The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2024

Despite being preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death. At EGPAF, we understand ending TB is essential to ensuring healthy futures for children and families, especially those impacted by HIV. ?

A group of EGPAF experts recently attended The Union World Conference on Lung Health in Bali, Indonesia to share insights and learn about the cutting-edge innovations in TB case-finding, prevention, and treatment. As the conference came to a close, they shared their favorite moments. ?

Cosette Audi, Officer Public Policy & Advocacy

I was encouraged to see an increased focus on TB during pregnancy. This is such an important topic. ?

Esther Turunga, Sr. Procurement & Supply Chain Manager?

My two favorite sessions were ‘What’s next in TB preventive treatment for children’ and ‘Access to TB care, drugs, and diagnostics’. ?

Lise Denoeud, Senior Research Officer ?

My two favorite moments were the plenary session on Access to TB medicines and the symposium on pediatric TB algorithms. I also enjoyed the World Health Organization CAWG meeting and the SMART4TB side meetings and events. ?

Martina Casenghi, Technical Director TB?

The highlights for me were the high quality of evidence on TB case finding and diagnosis in children, including in those with malnutrition, learning about the emerging evidence on TB in pregnancy, and the session on access to TB care, drugs, and diagnostics. ?

Nilesh Bhatt, Director of Clinical Research?

I enjoyed several discussions, especially those around LTBI and asymptomatic TB, pediatric TB diagnosis (which was a key issue discussed during the conference), and the use of AI based technology for TB screening.?

Want to hear more from EGPAF experts? Listen to our interviews at the conference. ?

Martina Casenghi talks to Cape Talk radio South Africa about the resurgence of TB ?

Nilesh Bhatt chats with VOA’s Health Chats about the impact of TB. ?