Stop TB Partnership

Rinat Akhmetov Foundation launches new TB information campaign

1 December 2012 - Kiev - Rinat Akhmetov's Development of Ukraine foundation has launched the second wave of an information campaign that aims to reduce tuberculosis- associated stigma.

The campaign features public service announcements that will air on national and regional television and radio channels until the end of February. The announcements will also be shown in public spaces including cinemas, shopping centers and schools.

Denis Denisenko, head of the Stop TB in Ukraine programme said that the campaign was informed by a survey on the attitude of Ukrainians towards people with tuberculosis (TB).

"On the one hand, 92% of respondents think that people with TB should get support and a friendly attitude from other people," he said "On the other hand, only 33% would agree to eat at a restaurant if they knew that one of the cooks or a waitresses had had TB and completely recovered. These data reveal high level of stigma and discrimination towards people with TB and insufficient access to information on the curability of TB."

In addition to the television and radio announcements, the foundation has placed campaign posters at a total of 960 locations - with most of the advertising space donated - around Ukraine.

Materials from the campaign can be found on the Stop TB in Ukraine website at www.stoptb.in.ua.