MSF South Asia hosts TB day in Mumbai, shifts focus to advocacy and system strengthening

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders South Asia held the fourth edition of its Tuberculosis (TB) Day on 12 May 2025 in Mumbai, India. The event brought together over 200 participants, including medical experts, TB survivors, policymakers, researchers, and civil society leaders from across South Asia. The meeting marks a significant moment as MSF transitions its TB operations in Mumbai from direct service delivery to a stronger focus on advocacy and health system strengthening.

The event, centred on the theme of sustainable impact and equity in TB care, facilitated dialogue on eliminating drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). It was supported by national and regional bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, the World Health Organization (WHO), The Union, BRAC, PATH, and others. Participants addressed the social determinants of TB and discussed the need for multi-sectoral collaboration.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr Daksha Shah, Executive Health Officer at the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai. This was followed by a keynote by Prof Anil Koul, Professor of Translational Discovery at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who highlighted the need for increased investment in research, policy innovation, and partnerships to enhance DR-TB treatment access.

Dr Farhat Mantoo, Executive Director of MSF South Asia, said:
“On TB Day 2025, MSF stands at a pivotal juncture in South Asia. As we shift from direct service delivery in Mumbai to a focus on advocacy and capacity building, our commitment remains unwavering: to support equitable, survivor-led, and community-rooted TB care. The fight against drug-resistant TB cannot happen in isolation. Drug-resistant TB brings immense challenges—not just medical, but social, emotional, and economic. Ending TB requires more than medical solutions—it calls for amplifying the voices of those most affected, reinforcing local health systems, and advancing policies that make access to care a right for all, not a privilege for a few.”

A panel discussion titled ‘New TB Treatment Regimens: Faster Cures, Fewer Side Effects, and Fresh Hope’ addressed clinical developments in DR-TB treatment. The session, moderated by Dr Animesh Sinha of MSF, featured Dr Jennifer Furin (Harvard Medical School), Lorenzo Guglielmetti (EndTB Project), Dr Vijay Chavan (MSF Training Unit), and Dr Rupak Singla (National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases). TB survivor Meera Yadav also spoke, sharing her experience with newer treatment regimens.

Another panel, ‘From Stigma to Strength: Building Community-Centred TB Solutions’, focused on community engagement in TB care. Moderated by Ms Anisha Singh of The Union, speakers included Anwesha Ghosh (TB Meri Kahani), Dr Nishant Kumar (Central TB Division), and representatives from BRAC, Ashoka University, and SMART Radio. The discussion explored how behavioural science, local media, and inclusive interventions can address TB-related stigma.

Dr Urvashi Singh, Deputy Director General-TB at the Central TB Division, outlined national strategies for aligning public health initiatives with community-led approaches.

The final panel of the day, ‘Sustaining Impact: Funding TB Elimination in a Shifting Landscape’, looked at financial gaps and regional funding opportunities. Moderated by Dr Radha Munje (Indira Gandhi Government Medical College), the session included representatives from PATH, the Clinton Foundation, HLFPPT, NTEP-Mumbai, and the DOPASI Foundation in Pakistan. Speakers called for predictable financing, regional collaboration, and models tailored to local contexts.

Dr Vineet Bhatia, Regional Advisor at WHO, delivered the closing remarks, advocating for increased cross-border cooperation and the integration of survivor perspectives in policy development.

The event featured a picture story exhibition showcasing the lived experiences of TB survivors and frontline workers.