Community mobilization strategy for 2010

1. Communitymobilizationstrategyfor 2010 Gracia Violeta Ross

2. More visibility • Keep targeting AIDS key leaders from the global south to speak on TB-HIV issues • Make TB topics understable for PLHA (most people just do not know) • Document successfull community driven experiences (e.g. Mexico) • TB-PLHA as speakers in major TB conferences’s but in main sessions

3. More Training • Train PLHA with “the basics” of TB advocacy, if it does not exist completely, we will invent • Train other community members, those who are also at risk of TB who could create a safer environment for PLHA • Train biomedical sector on “the basics” of community involvement, such as listening and horizontal approches

4. TB-Transformation • What can welearnfromotherhealthachievments of the XX and XXI centuriesthat can benefitthe TB response? • Maybeweneedtochangethelanguage, do peopleunderstandthedifferenceamong ”TB control” and “TB patient control”? • Focusonthe PERSON notthe bacilo • Trust thecommunityfor TB control, theywanttohelp • Partnership of personswith TB withhealthproviders in a horizontal way • Involveyoungerpeople and more women and youwillseewewill rock TB response

5. EMPOWERMENT • Why is the TB so called “patient” so patient? • Need urgent training and awarness on Human Rights of patients • TB is no longer the property of one sector, other sectors have to take responsability, we have to make them accountable, this includes, political leaders, pharmaceutical companies, UN agencies, health clinics, persons affected AND PLHA • Develop our own vision of TB response as a complement to tradional practices • Persons with TB are part of the solution not the problem

6. Deal with TB stigma • What is fueling the stigma around persons wit TB? • Is it because it is contagiuos? • Do people ignore that is curable? • Is not a sexy disease? • Why do people run away from services when they are coughing? • Can it be that the TB awarness messages given to community fuel stigma?

7. Why I nevergot TB in a country with TB prevalence (Bolivia)? • Testedfor HIV rightafterbeinginfected • Treatedfor HIV inmediately • Befor ART, for 1 year, automaticallyunderisionazid and cotrimoxazol profilaxis, peer counselorsexplainedto me thebenefits, cheapmedicationsprovidedbyperuviangovernmentwhile I studiedmastercourse in Lima. NEVER GOT ANY OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION • Since my HIV test, I learntabout my infection. First test totake: X rays, notsuggestedbydoctors, butunderstoodbymyselfafterreadingabouttherisk of oportunisticinfections • Trained my family so theywouldnotaddriskto my space, includingpreventingalltypes of flu, safefood, TB prevention, etc.

8. LISTEN TO PEOPLE • What is needed and what will work? People know, if we only ask them and listen, they will tell us • Is not a Geneva paper that will transform TB-HIV services but what people and communities do locally • Benefit from social science to develop community driven responses • Thokozile from South Africa

9. Why I need to learn about TB? • Many AIDS activist have not been personally affected by TB, thus they don’t imagine the burden • If some information was provided to them in a dedicated way (Hayleyesus for me) they will understand and take responsability. There is progress on this in some african communities • “We are affected by TB, my community is dying of TB” • AIDS no more in competition with other health problems