The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc around the world – and taking a particularly devastating toll on the health of the most vulnerable, including those living with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Patients and survivors with respiratory impairment and/or lung damage may be more vulnerable to serious complications from COVID-19. Beyond individual vulnerability, the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted and weakened already-fragile systems of delivering care to people with DR-TB. A recent modeling study estimated that national lockdowns and gradual restoration measures required to contain the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an additional 6.3 million TB cases and 1.4 million TB deaths by 2025.¹

Collective action is urgently needed to help ensure continuity of care for people with DR-TB during the pandemic. In particular, innovative solutions at the community level could help people with DR-TB connect with healthcare providers, ensure they have sufficient supply of medicines, and access peer-to-peer support – all without leaving their homes.

Join us on September 16th for a discussion on how innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world are stepping up and sharing their opinions on how to address this public health challenge. A panel of experts, including a TB survivor, will discuss their views on how creative solutions to the challenges being faced by DR-TB patients can be scaled up with the aim to reach those in need. Awardees of Johnson & Johnson’s DR-TB Lifeline Quickfire Challenge will be announced and will share how their innovations could help ensure people with DR-TB receive the care they need during this unprecedented time.

*All registrants will receive a video recording after the webinar.

[1]http://www.stoptb.org/assets/documents/news/Modeling%20Report_1%20May%202020_FINAL.pdf