About the TB and Poverty Subgroup

The TB and Poverty subgroup is a subgroup of the DOTS Expansion Working Group. It was formed as a result of the launch of the Network Secretariat for Action on TB and Poverty at the UNION Conference in 2004 and was officially endorsed as a subgroup by the DEWG in 2005.

It is a network of individuals and organisations who are engaged and interested in ensuring that the specific needs of poor and vulnerable populations are addressed in the delivery of TB services. Members include NTP managers, NGOs, community and patient representatives, members of the other Working Groups of the STOP TB partnership, academics and others working on similar issues. Members have been identified based on their participation in TB and poverty meetings at international conferences and elsewhere or on their work in this field. There is no restriction on membership of the subgroup.

The subgroup provides a forum for discussion and an opportunity for knowledge and experience to be shared between its members. The subgroup is directed by a smaller team of people working in the area, known as the core team. Membership of this team is restricted and based on institutional affiliation.

Objectives

To establish and to promote the growth of the TB and Poverty subgroup.
To ensure high quality performance and results by the subgroup and to promote and publish best practices in the field of TB and Poverty.
To ensure effective and efficient performance by the subgroup's secretariat.
To represent and promote the poverty focus in the work of the STOP TB Partnership through active participation in the DOTS Expansion Working Group and other relevant Partnership's Working Groups.
To represent TB Poverty concerns in international fora on poverty alleviation and to establish links with other poverty related health initiatives.
In collaboration with the WHO Stop TB Department and with the support of national TB programme managers, prepare a practical guide specifically intended for NTP managers to guide them in identifying the poor, the barriers the poor encounter in accessing TB services, and available options to address the needs of the poor as an integral part of TB control.

Terms of reference

To appraise and approve, on the basis of actual available funding or firm pledges, the annual work plans and budgets for the subgroup activities as submitted by the Secretariat before the start of each calendar year, with special emphasis on the synergy between three clusters of activities of the subgroup.
To periodically appraise the progress of the establishment and growth of the subgroup as reported semi-annually by the subgroup's Secretariat.
To periodically appraise the progress and financial reports of the subgroup's Secretariat and to provide strategic and other support to the Secretariat if and when needed.
To liaise with donor agencies and other financial stakeholders regarding resource mobilization and reporting.
To appraise and endorse proposals from implementing stakeholders in countries for innovative activities that aim to improve the access by the poor to TB care and control that have been submitted to the Secretariat for support.
To arrange for the external evaluation of the subgroup's and Secretariat's performances after two years of its official launch.

On the 13th November 2007, a successful meeting of the TB & Poverty Subgroup was held at the Union World Conference, Cape Town. The overall aim of the meeting was to provide joint working amongst sub-group members. The objectives were to provide opportunity to meet and share ideas and experiences, review progress against outputs of TB and Poverty Action Plan and outline future direction and activities.

Summary of subgroup meeting

For more detailed information on addressing TB and Poverty in National Programmes please download the TB and Poverty Guide which may be found at: http://www.who.int/tb/challenges/poverty/en/