Thailand - Stop TB Partnership

Community mobilization and participation have proven essential in advocating
for research, development of new tools, and the increased resources for the fight against
HIV/AIDS. But many of those directly affected by TB lack resources and opportunities to
engage in policy processes. Others may wish to distance themselves from the disease—and
the stigma attached to it—once they have been cured. Ezio T. Santos Filho, a long-time
HIV/AIDS activist in Brazil, asserts that waiting for the kind of “bottom-up” engagement
and activism that was undertaken by the well-educated and politically connected constituencies
first affected by AIDS in countries such as Brazil and the United States may not be
realistic when so many of those affected by TB are from the poorest and most marginalized
communities in their countries. 73 Greater social mobilization around TB and TB/HIV will
be necessary to eradicate TB, but this will not occur without a concerted and sustained effort
on the part of donors, policymakers, and community activists.
–Public Health Watch
PUBLIC HEALTH WATCH MONITORING REPORTS 29