Global Coalition of TB Activists lends voice to international discourse

"The Global Coalition of TB Activists [GCTA] came together at a February Stop TB Partnership meeting in Geneva, [an] announcement says, with the aim of closing gaps that leave those most affected by tuberculosis out of decision making at local, national, and global levels," the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports. "The formation of an internationally based coalition will help involve those individuals and communities 'in a global, strategic and integrated way,' Alberto Colorado, [a sociologist, patient advocate and international public health consultant,] told Science Speaks," the blog writes. "The announcement of the GCTA's launch included statements from Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Executive Director Mark Dybul and Stop TB Partnership Executive Secretary Lucica Ditiu, welcoming the creation of the group," the blog notes, adding, "The GCTA is inviting TB patients and survivors, members of affected communities and TB activists working across the world to join the coalition through its Google Group" (Barton, 3/28).