In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the ENGAGE-TB approach to guide national TB programmes, nongovernmental organizations and civil society in implementing and scaling-up integrated community-based TB activities. Developments since the launch of the ENGAGE-TB approach, including the 2020 UN Secretary General progress report on the Political Declaration of the 2018 UNGA High level meeting on TB where the need to strengthen engagement of affected communities and civil society in national responses is emphasised, necessitate its comprehensive review and update in order to respond to evolving needs in the public health arena.
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme (GTB) is leading the development of the new Guidance. Advice is provided by the Core Group consisting of key WHO staff from headquarters, regional and country levels and the WHO Civil Society Task Force on TB, and a consultant who has draft the guidance, incorporating inputs from external experts. A two day hybrid (in person and virtual) stakeholder consultation is being convened 6 to 7 September 2022 at WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland to review the draft guidance and solicit further stakeholder inputs before finalization.
