On 23rd August 2023, ‘The Accountability Report of TB-Affected Communities & Civil Society: Priorities to Close the Deadly Divide’ was launched in New Delhi. This report centers the voices of those with personal experiences of TB, and identifies key areas for action at the global and country level. This is especially critical in the context of the upcoming September 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. This meeting will be an opportunity to reflect on where we stand, and take stock of our successes and challenges.

Subrat Mohanty (Senior Advisor & Project Lead, REACH) gave the opening remarks and set the context for the event. James Malar Community (Rights and Gender Programme Officer, Stop TB Partnership) highlighted the deadly divide in ending TB. This was followed by a panel discussion on Deadly Divide: ‘Strategising for Impact at the TBHLM’ India Perspective. The panel included Blessina Kumar (Global Coalition of TB Advocates); Dr Shibu Balakrishnan (Medical Consultant, WHO); Dr Reuben Swamickan (Deputy Director, USAID); Gulshana (TB Champion) and Anupama Srinivasan (Assistant Director, REACH). This discussion was moderated by Subrat Mohanty. Dr Lucica Ditiu (Executive Director, Stop TB Partnership) also joined and gave her special comments virtually and Smrity Kumar (Project Lead – Unite to Act, REACH) gave the closing remarks at the event.

As deaths from COVID-19 decline, TB is reclaiming its title as the world’s number one infectious disease killer. Too often, those who die are from our most vulnerable and marginalised communities. This report is written by, and in solidarity with TB-affected communities and civil society to galvanise a transformative response to #endtb.