26 August 2021, Geneva, Switzerland – The Stop TB Partnership today welcomed the new leadership of the Stop TB Partnership Board, India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, as the new Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board with immediate effect and until 2024. The Minister will lead the efforts of the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat, partners, and the TB community at large, towards reaching the UN TB targets by 2022, a milestone moment in the effort to end TB by 2030.
“I am honored to take the Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and thus secure continuation of the commitment to global efforts to end this devastating disease worldwide by 2030,” said Mansukh Mandaviya who was sworn in as India’s new health minister in July 2021, “I look forward towards working with the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretariat in leading the efforts to end TB. India remains committed to ending TB in the country by 2025”, the Minister added.
The Stop TB Partnership also welcomed the incoming Board Vice-Chair Mr. Austin Arinze Obiefuna, Executive Director of Afro Global Alliance. Mr. Obiefuna, a Nigerian national, was previously the Board Member representing the biggest constituency on the Stop TB Partnership Board, Developing Country NGO. He will take over as the Board Vice-Chair from 1 January 2022 for a period of three years.
Commenting on the appointments, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, said: "We are honoured to welcome India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare to lead the Stop TB Partnership Board at this critical time, confirming undivided support of the Indian Government to global TB efforts. We are also happy to have Mr. Austin Obiefuna join the Board Leadership starting January 2022. His experience, and passion will be instrumental in taking us forward in the next three years. Stop TB Partnership is happy the Board will get the steering direction from two amazing human beings coming from TB High Burden Countries. This is great for global TB elimination efforts!”