Russian Red Cross/ International Federation
World TB Day - 24 March, activities

Since the middle of January, the Delegation’s Information Officer has been regularly participating in WHO World TB Day co-ordination meetings involving representatives of 25 national and international, state and public organizations working in the field of tuberculosis in Russia. A joint plan of action was established. The Delegation was responsible for organizing a press conference on behalf of the organizing committee, and together with the Russian Red Cross (RRC) for holding a poster competition among schoolchildren in 17 pilot regions where participating agencies implement TB program activities, and developing four video clips for television on TB awareness. RRC/Delegation was also involved in other joint activities, such as organizing a charity concert of classical music devoted to the World TB Day, judging the results of two other poster competitions organized by WHO and MSF among sanatorium schools for children with TB and Moscow art schools, and participating in two radio programs on tuberculosis.

      1. The press conference on World TB Day with the participation of the Chief TB doctor of the Russian Federation, high representative from the RF Ministry of Health, Head of Medical department of the RF Ministry of Justice, the representative of WHO Director General in Russia, as well as representatives of central TB institutes, RRC, International Federation Delegation, Merlin, Partners in Health and Regional Association of TB patients took place on 21 March. Despite the Iraq issue, the event drew the attention of 15 media representatives. Red Cross information materials were distributed at the press conference. RRC work in the field of psychological and legal consultations to prisoners with TB was discussed and stressed as an achievement by the Ministry of Health.
      2. A poster competition on TB-related themes among 10-15 year old school children took place in March in 17 pilot regions where TB programs are implemented, including nine Red Cross regions with results being finalized on 19 March by the organizing committee at WHO. The first place was given to an 11-year old orphan from Khakasia, who was invited to Moscow to attend the charity concert and prize giving ceremony.
      3. Four video clips for television on TB awareness were developed and filmed during the reporting period. They are now in rotation on central TV stations in Russia, and will soon be sent to the regions for rotation on local channels.
      4. RRC TB program manager participated in a round table discussion on radio "Govorit Moskva" on 20 March along with five other representatives from the Russia’s regional association of TB patients, Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, WHO, RF Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health, speaking about the importance of the social component in TB treatment and information dissemination. The Head of Russia Delegation took part in another round table radio program at "Voice of Russia" station along with the representatives of WHO and USAID, discussing the need for international assistance in the fight against tuberculosis in Russia.
      5. A charity concert of classical music devoted to the World TB Day was held on 24 March. The Head of the Russia Federation Delegation gave a short speech at the official ceremony before the concert along with the representatives of WHO, DFID and RF Ministry of Health. RRC visiting nurses were collecting donations in money boxes and distributing information materials on tuberculosis, giving out a white chamomile made of paper to everyone who made a donation. The Federation video "Where the streets have no name..." was shown in the lobby before the concert. The funds raised at the concert were donated to a Children’s TB hospital.

In addition, the Delegation/RRC implemented the following activities:

      1. Audio information on TB awareness was developed and put in rotation free of charge at 126 metro stations in Moscow.
      2. A banner on World TB Day was created and placed free of charge on 10 billboards on Moscow to "Domodedovo" airport road.
      3. 10,000 new TB leaflets developed by the Delegation’s Medical officer were printed. Some were distributed at the press conference and charity concert, the rest was sent to the regions.
      4. RRC TB program manager took part in a television program called "Prison and Freedom" at one of the all-Russia TV channels, speaking about Red Cross anti-TB work in prisons.
      5. The RRC Press officer placed information and photos on World TB Day on the Internet and produced an information bulletin "Red Cross News" covering the issue.
      6. A considerable number of Red Cross information materials were shared with Russia’s regional association for TB patients and Moscow’s central TB centre for further distribution among TB patients and their relatives.

 

Back to Home Page - Top of Page - Back to Main WTBD'03 Page