South African Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will host a press conference in Johannesburg on 13 October to launch the global plan to stop TB 2011–2015: Transforming the fight – towards the elimination of tuberculosis.
The plan by the international Stop TB Partnership is action-oriented and, for the first time, identifies all the research gaps that need to be filled to bring rapid TB tests, faster treatment regimens and a fully effective vaccine to market.
It also shows public health programmes how to drive universal access to TB care, including how to modernise diagnostic labs and adopt revolutionary TB tests that have recently become available.
Several leading figures in the global movement to Stop TB will address the briefing which will be followed by a Kick TB activation among the 2 000 children at a primary school in Alexandra.
Date: 13 October 2010
Media briefing time:10h00 to 12h00
Kick TB activation time: 12h00 to 13h30
Venue:Pholosho Primary School,166 12th Avenue (cnr London Road) Alexandra
GPS cordinates:S26º06.735’ and E028º06.081’
Media briefing participants:
- Dr Motsoaledi, Minister of Health of South Africa
- Rifat Atun, Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board
- Carol Nawina Nyirenda, TB and HIV activist
- John Tedstrom, President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
- Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS
- Mario Raviglione, Director of the Stop TB Department, World Health Organisation
Kick TB activation
The Kick TB campaign is an initiative of the South African Department of Health. It seeks to combat TB and the stigma associated with this disease by fusing sport, and social mobilisation to create a platform for communication.
Activation programme
- Programme director:Ms Gerry Elsdon, South African TB Ambassador
- National Anthem:Learners
- Welcome: Ms Qedani Mahlangu, Gauteng MEC for Health
- Message of support: Mr Donald Gips, United States Ambassador
- Screening of DVD
- Interactive Q&A session:Ms Elsdon
- Item by learners
- Reflections and closing remarks: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, SA Minister of Health
Soccer activity Dr Motsoaledi, Minister for Health, United States Ambassador Mr D Gips, Rifat Atun, Chair, Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board ,Carol Nawina Nyirenda, TB and HIV activist, John Tedstrom, President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS, Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB Department, World Health Organisation, Ms Q Mahlangu, Ms Elsdon, TB Ambassador and other dignitaries
To confirm your attendance at the briefing or get more information contact:
Khomotso Makuse (for Stop TB Partnership):Tel: 011 506 7300 or khomotsom@meropa.co.za
Maria Djordjevic (for Stop TB Partnership): Tel: 011 506 7300 or 082 334 6192 or mariad@meropa.co.za
Jo-Anne Collinge (for Stop TB Partnership):Tel: 011 506 7300 or 082 787 0202 or joannec@meropa.co.za
Howard Kgoa (for Department of Health):Tel: 012 395 8478 or 076 374 0314 or kgoah@health.gov.za
International media please note:
There will be simultaneous announcements on the Global Plan to Stop TB in:
- Geneva, where a briefing will be held for the media covering UN agencies
- Berlin, where a presentation will be made at a plenary session of the World Health Summit, followed by a media briefing.
