Stop TB Canada’s Vision for 2021: Target Priorities & Events
By Lena Faust
At our webinar on 15 Dec 2020, Stop TB Canada steering committee members and attendees came together to discuss their shared vision and priorities for 2021.
During the webinar, we thought about two key questions: 1) Priorities for Stop TB Canada to focus on this year, and 2) ideas for Stop TB Canada events and activities!
Here is a summary of the great ideas shared by attendees - we look forward to working towards these with all of you this year!
1. What are priority topics related to TB that are important for Stop TB Canada to focus on in 2021?
In terms of priority topics, many attendees underlined the need to focus on vulnerable populations, including supporting meaningful community engagement, strengthening health systems, and improving TB care for Indigenous communities and migrants. Other priority areas highlighted were the social determinants of health, especially in relation to TB in Indigenous communities, and the need for attention to history and geography as determinants of health. A greater focus on preventive education and health literacy, stigma and mental health in relation to TB, and improving surveillance and access to medicines were also suggested.
Given the effects the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had on TB services, attendees also emphasized the importance of ensuring that investments in COVID-19 can be leveraged to build capacity for the global TB response, and that the damaging impact of COVID-19 on TB programs is mitigated.
Attendees also called for Stop TB Canada to promote increased collaboration between stakeholders, including coordinating efforts, sharing ideas, and networking across programs and across Canada, as well as linking in other relevant communities, such as the HIV community.
Lastly, advocacy was also identified as a key priority, with specific recommendations to strengthen Canada’s role as a key donor and a champion of TB elimination at home and abroad, and to broaden the community of Canadian advocates working to end TB.
Lots of important priority topic suggestions for 2021!
2. What type of events or activities would you like to see from the Stop TB Canada network in 2021?
Attendees shared a range of exciting event ideas for this year, including launching more advocacy campaigns, and holding a national conference with wide representation of diverse stakeholders and session content. Interest in webinars to generate more awareness of TB, as well as webinars on specific topics such as contact tracing was also expressed. Attendees also suggested supporting community-led events, and bringing in more representation from stakeholder groups to Stop TB Canada discussions, such as representatives from Health Canada or Immigration and Indigenous services, journalists, lawyers and TB survivors.
And some great event ideas!