New research tool supports implementation and scale-up of digital technologies to End TB Subscribe (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=dffc796b17&e=8b508ff761) Online Version (https://mailchi.mp/3e7532c5a131/amid-covid-19-fight-to-end-tb-more-important-than-ever?e=8b508ff761) World TB Day Bulletin: Amid COVID-19, fight to End TB more important than ever 24 March 2020 Message from TDR Director John Reeder March 24 marks World TB Day, a day dedicated to raising public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic impacts of tuberculosis (TB). TB remains the leading global cause of death from a single infectious agent. In 2018, there were an estimated ten million new cases of TB and 1.5 million deaths. As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential health services and operations are continued to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or health conditions. “COVID-19 is highlighting just how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems can be,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a statement (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=24bfa2c97d&e=8b508ff761). It’s time to boost innovation and research, both of which are key components of the global End TB Strategy. Below we share some innovative approaches developed by TDR, including a new tool to support implementation and scale-up of digital technologies for TB prevention and care (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=28aa6685f6&e=8b508ff761) as well as integrating active TB case finding among children in related health programmes. New research tool supports scale-up of digital technologies to End TB While digital and mobile apps to help control TB are welcome innovations, countries need evidence to identify which ones are effective and worth adopting to scale up nationally. TDR is developing an Implementation research toolkit to inform the implementation and scale-up of digital technologies for TB (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=d0f7bb20fa&e=8b508ff761) in partnership with WHO’s Global TB Programme. This toolkit will help generate new evidence for optimal applications of digital health technologies targeting TB and inform future WHO guidance on their use. > Read More (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=dbb5ac6a6a&e=8b508ff761) Improving detection of TB in children: a smarter solution THE CHALLENGE: Detecting TB cases in West and Central Africa is a persistent challenge, especially in children. It is estimated that 70% of TB cases in children under five aren’t detected nor treated. THE SOLUTION: In Senegal, to target these missed cases, the National TB Control Programme is studying a new active case finding strategy, where TB screening is integrated into malnutrition screening campaigns. This innovative approach was piloted during a recent nutrition campaign in the districts of Thiès and Tivaouane. > See the photo essay (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=249d68e368&e=8b508ff761) and video interview in English (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=c10c41435d&e=8b508ff761) and in French (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=3524765fa2&e=8b508ff761). Statement on implications of COVID-19 on TDR operations Given our broad network of partners and collaborators, we would like to provide the following update on the implications of COVID-19 on our work. > Read (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=f74e77c47a&e=8b508ff761)the statement (https://who.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1fbe55f722081f8b396f5a076&id=6da7fef794&e=8b508ff761) Our Vision TDR aims to improve the health and well-being of people burdened by infectious diseases of poverty through research and innovation so no-one is left behind. 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