Localized Solutions and Strategic Partnerships to Eliminate TB
April 22nd, 2024 | news
USAID Assistant Administrator Dr. Atul Gawande speaks with members of the TIFA team during an event commemorating 25 years of USAID’s collaboration with India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program. Credit: Mandar Randive, Piramal Swasthya
In commemoration of 25 years of collaboration between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), Dr. Atul Gawande reaffirmed the Agency’s partnership and commitment to global health priorities.
During a recent trip to India, Dr. Gawande delivered a keynote address acknowledging the significant strides the country has made to combat tuberculosis (TB), including the scaling of innovations like rapid molecular testing. He also met with USAID-funded Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA) staff to discuss how TIFA supports the NTEP’s objectives by funding scalable, local solutions, including models for implementing differentiated TB care and sample transportation for pediatric TB care. TIFA, led in India by Project Director Venkatesh Roddawar, also supports state-specific interventions through TIFA Bharat, a web portal that promotes bottom-up approaches that are often overlooked.
Dr. Gawande visited a night shelter in New Delhi for migrants and people experiencing homelessness. He met with individuals directly affected by TB and observed on-site screening camps funded by a TB commitment grant through TIFA grantee Humana People to People India. He also spoke with community members and health care professionals to better understand the dynamics of TB management and prevention.
“We are working in joint partnership with the government for solutions that address the TB crisis, solutions that can be used across the world,” Dr. Gawande said.
Dr. Gawande’s visit underscored USAID and JSI’s commitment to fostering localized solutions and bolstering India’s path to eliminating TB. Learn more about how NTEP, USAID, TIFA, and public and private entities work alongside local partners to implement catalytic activities.
