About tbNET '97

Why hold tbNET 97?

Tuberculosis is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide, currently infecting a third of the world's population, and causing nearly 9 million new cases and 3 million deaths each year. Developing countries bear the brunt of the epidemic, and the South/South-East Asia Region is particularly affected, with 40% of the world's TB cases occurring here.

NGOs have a long history of involvement in TB control throughout the world. National anti-tuberculosis associations, international NGOs and national NGOs are active in TB control in many countries, with many different models of involvement. Their contributions are immense. The global strategy of TB control promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) known as Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) was first developed at a national level by an NGO - the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) - in several countries in Africa and central America.

As countries step up their efforts to control TB, the role of NGOs will become even more important. Achievement of the global objectives for TB control will need more NGOs to get involved in TB control. NGOs that are already involved in TB control will need to co-ordinate with NTPs, with the private sector, and with each other. Many countries are establishing such mechanisms of co-ordination, and NGOs are learning from each other. Each NGO is unique and many different models for NGO involvement in TB control can be found. There is a need to review the effectiveness, successes and problems of these different approaches. That’s why we’re having tbNET 97.


What will tbNET 97 cover?

There will be three types of presentations and discussions. Each day will begin with a
"
View from the Summit" - broad overview to set the scene. We will hear about the global TB situation, TB control strategies, and issues relating to co-ordination between NTPs, NGOs and the private sector.

Next we have "Ways and Means". These consist of a series of in depth case studies from several different NGOs, representing a broad range of approaches and countries. The presentations will last for 60-90 minutes, and will look at the structure, process and outcome of each model of involvement in TB control; identifying problems and failures as well as strengths and successes. Please ask probing questions, and make observations from your own experiences.

And finally "The Big Issues". This series of presentations will focus on issues facing NGOs involved in TB control, for example TB and HIV, Co-ordination with NTPs, Doing DOTS, TB in refugees, etc. Topics will be introduced with short presentations, followed by group discussions. The final outcome will be a series of conclusions and recommendations, which together with the presentations, will be published as conference proceedings.


How will tbNET 97 be different?

First, it is being held in a developing country. International awareness of the TB epidemic has led to a proliferation of TB related conferences - but most have been held in the West, and attended mainly by academics and researchers. This conference is being held in the developing world, in a region particularly affected by the TB epidemic, and is primarily for those directly involved in TB control as programme managers and donors.

Second, there will be two groups of participants - those who come to Kathmandu, and those who take part via the Internet. It will be the first "on-line" conference to be held from Nepal, and one of the first to be held in a developing country. During the conference, participants in other parts of the world will be able to down load presentations from this web page, and upload their own comments and contributions to the discussions.

Third, it is not an end in itself. The conference has two main purposes. The first is to discuss matters of concern to NGOs working (or planning to work) in TB control. The second is to establish a network of these NGOs, mainly for the South and South East Asia Region - but also including organisations from wider afield. This network will give participating organisations the opportunity to continue sharing experiences and to learn from each other for many years to come.