Our annual World TB Day symposium, held on March 24th, 2025, brought together a vibrant mix of national and international voices, researchers, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience of tuberculosis (TB). Hosted as a hybrid event by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and UCL, the day was filled with insightful discussions, cutting-edge research presentations, and a powerful sense of community aimed at tackling the global challenge of TB.

A Gathering of Diverse Perspectives

A key strength of this year’s symposium was the convergence of UK-based and international perspectives. In a time where global health funding faces uncertainty, the event highlighted a strong recognition that collaboration is crucial. We can support and learn from each other, strengthening our collective efforts against TB.

This spirit of inclusivity shone through, particularly with the powerful contributions from TB survivors. Hearing directly from Mariama Barrow and Amy McConville, representing experiences from both high-burden settings and the UK, provided invaluable context and grounded the day’s discussions. Mariama’s use of photography to share her treatment journey was particularly moving, and helped people to see how the reality of treatment affects the person receiving it.

Key Themes and Discussions

The symposium’s structure was thoughtfully designed to cover critical areas in TB research and policy:

• Life After TB: Placing the “Post-TB – Beyond the cure” session early in the day emphasized the often-overlooked long-term health issues faced by survivors. Presentations covered post-TB lung disease, innovative therapies, and the experiences of paediatric survivors, reminding us that the journey doesn’t necessarily end when treatment does.
• UK’s Role in TB Policy: An honest and open session explored the UK’s position in national and international TB policy. Speakers from UK government bodies, the Global Fund, and advocacy groups discussed TB rates, policy options, and the importance of sustained commitment and funding.
• Debating Future Treatments: This lively debate, “This house believes that Pan-TB regimens are dead in the water,” delved into the complexities and potential consequences of seeking simpler, programmatic solutions for TB treatment.
• Spotlight on Early Career Researchers: The ECR “Turbo Talks” were a highlight, showcasing the incredible breadth and quality of research happening at LSHTM and UCL. The fast-paced, two-minute format, enabled by technology allowing presenters from around the globe, was both engaging and inclusive. Congratulations to all of the presenters – everyone was a winner!
• Asymptomatic TB: This topical session addressed the latest in definitions, screening, diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment for early and asymptomatic TB, highlighting the important contributions of LSHTM and UCL researchers in this area.

And then, as always, really great to hook up with UCSF, not least at a time when things are uncertain for global research and implementation. With changes occurring in funding and the delivery of care, it feels particularly important now to connect with groups as part of the global community doing important and high quality TB research.

Looking Forward

The symposium fostered a strong sense of community and shared purpose. From the insightful survivor testimonies to the dynamic ECR presentations and high-level policy discussions, the event underscored the power of collaboration and inclusivity. While challenges remain, particularly around funding and the complexities of TB treatment and long-term care, the collective energy and commitment demonstrated give reason for optimism.

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📽️ A video of the symposium can be seen here

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In a previous blog post, Sreyashi Basu described how she set up a TB education initiative, Joi Hok! in Kolkata, including a painted scroll that was used as a visual aid.  Here she describes the scroll and explains how it is used.

Sreyashi Basu writes:

The Patachitra painting is made by Swarna Chitrakar, a traditional scroll painter who hails from a place called Naya village in Medinipur District. She sings about different aspects of TB as she unfurls the large scroll painting to depict the sequence of events. The culture of Patachitra music (or Patua Sangeet) have been passed down for generations and unlike other kinds of music is performed acapella style.

Here I sing about TB in Bengali, and unlike Swarna, am accompanied by my ukelele:

 

The painting is reproduced below with an explanation of the panels (view image here):
Read more about Sreyashi and her Joi Hok! initiative here on this blog post. Sreyashi is a recent UCL graduate, and is now studying for an MSc at the LSHTM. Twitter: @SreyashiBasu2