On June 23, 2024, BMSS Bangladesh had the privilege of participating in the dynamic #Youth2EndTB Townhall hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Dhaka. The event began with a powerful message from Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme, who emphasized that even a single individual can make a monumental difference in the fight against TB.
The evening was a rollercoaster of emotions and inspiration. Md. Alif from Bangladesh, a young TB survivor and second-year CSE student at Daffodil International University, moved us with his testimony, sharing the struggles and triumphs of battling TB. Vivian Faith, a TB advocate from Kenya, recounted her harrowing journey of overcoming stigma and financial hardships, transforming her despair into a movement of support and advocacy.
Hannah Monica Dias, Crosscutting Lead at the WHO Global TB Programme, gave us a comprehensive global overview, highlighting the need for multisectoral engagement and the potent role of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook in mobilizing youth and spreading awareness.
The roundtable discussions were a highlight, showcasing youth leaders like Madhusudan Kaphle, Sadikshya Sapkota, and Shreya Joshi from Nepal, who shared their success in the “20 for you, 20 for we” campaign and their impactful zero-budget projects. Madhusudan Kaphle, a youth leader from Nepal, discussed their effective TB education and advocacy campaigns. Sadikshya Sapkota and Shreya Joshi, both youth advocates from Nepal, demonstrated how young people can lead large-scale TB awareness and education initiatives.
Asadur Rahman Nabin, Vice-President for Capacity Building at IFMSA, discussed the critical involvement of medical students in this fight, emphasizing community outreach and capacity building.
The event concluded with the vibrant #EndTB Hackathon, a brainstorming session where participants crafted innovative strategies and pitched ideas to bolster the youth declaration to end TB. The energy was palpable as young minds came together, united by a cohonouredal.
BMSS Bangladesh is honored to be part of this inspiring global movement, committed to empowering youth, leveraging the power of social media, and advocating for a TB-free world. Let’s unite to #EndTB and pave the way for a healthier, brighter future!