BNMT at Union Conference 2024: Driving Innovation and Advocacy in the Fight Against TB

In 2024, BNMT actively participated in the highly anticipated Union Conference, a global event focused on advancing the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and improving lung health. Our team, including TB Champion Tulasha Limbu, was excited to be part of the conference, contributing to important conversations around TB care and solutions. Tulasha engaged in the Community Connect session, which brought together representatives from affected communities and civil society to share their experiences and collaborate on strategies to improve lung health. This session underscored the collective effort needed to tackle TB and achieve the goal of ending the epidemic.

As part of our advocacy and capacity-building initiatives, our executive director Mr. Raghu Dhital and National program coordinator Mr. Gyanendra Shrestha also participated in advocacy training sessions, equipping ourselves with new strategies and knowledge to strengthen our efforts at the national and community levels. One of the highlights of our participation was an oral presentation by Dr. Kritika Dixit, who presented her study titled Perception of community stakeholders and healthcare providers with using drones for TB diagnosis in Nepal: An exploratory qualitative study. The presentation sparked valuable discussions and showcased BNMT’s innovative approaches to TB diagnosis.

Additionally, a key highlight was the e-poster by Sarah Dunstan from The University of Melbourne, Australia, titled “Understanding TB Transmission Dynamics in Urban and Rural Nepal Using Genomics, to Optimally Target Interventions (TARGET TB).” This research focused on using genomics to better understand TB transmission patterns and optimize intervention strategies in Nepal, providing valuable insights for the global TB fight. BNMT’s involvement in the Union Conference 2024 reflected our commitment to advancing TB research, advocacy, and community-based solutions. The knowledge and insights gained will contribute to our on-going work in reducing TB transmission and improving health outcomes for affected populations.