For a second year in a row, the Africa regional Tuberculosis (TB) conference will be held this time in Zanzibar, Tanzania from December 5 – 7, 2012, and will be hosted by the USAID funded, Management Sciences for Health implemented Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program in collaboration with WHO and Stop TB partners.
The conference which will take place at the Meliá Hotel will focus on identifying and prioritizing country specific challenges for the management of TB medicines. Participants will work to develop concrete action plans that will be widely disseminated for solicitation of technical assistance and support from donors and Stop TB partners. SIAPS will also provide technical support to countries through its regional pool of TB experts.
The main target audience for the conference includes:
-National tuberculosis program managers
-Supply chain coordinators or program pharmacists
-In-country and global partners working in TB medicine management and use
-Donors
-World Health Organization/STOP-TB partners
Last year, the USAID funded Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) Program collaborated with WHO and Stop TB partners to successfully lead the first Africa regional conference on new approaches to strengthening TB pharmaceutical management systems. Approximately 120 delegates from over 25 countries in Africa attended the conference in July 2011 to share ideas and experiences about challenges and interventions to improve TB medicine and supply management, use, and safety as well as laboratory technologies. The major outcome of the conference was the Recommendations for Action document.
More detailed information including conference registration can be found on the conference website http://africatb2012.wordpress.com/
For questions, please contact africatb2012@msh.org.