We chat to THINK’s Chief Science Officer, Dr Suzanne Staples, about the upcoming Union World Conference on Lung Health in Paris, and find out more about its importance – both globally and for THINK.
The Union World Conference on Lung Health is an annual event organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). This event has taken place every year for the last 53 years, and will be held in Paris – where The Union was founded in 1920 – from November 15 to 18. The international conference gathers professionals, experts, researchers, and advocates from various fields related to lung health – such as tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, public health, and more.
The Union conference aims to promote awareness, share knowledge and best practices, encourage collaboration among professionals, and highlight new research and developments in lung health. The event provides a platform for the presentation and discussion of scientific findings, policies, and interventions that address the prevention and treatment of lung diseases.
The theme for this year’s conference is TRANSFORMING EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE. As they say on their website: The Union World Conference on Lung Health has come together to present the latest scientific research in all aspects of lung health. But our work does not stop there. Generating new evidence from research projects and presenting the results or publishing it in a journal is not enough. We need implementation. We need research converted into practice. We need to strive for evidence-based health policies and decisions.
This conference is a such a valuable opportunity for THINK. The event will be a pivotal networking platform, connecting us with professionals, scholars, donors, and partners dedicated to tuberculosis (TB) and lung health. Participating in this gathering will grant THINK access to the latest research and innovative strategies in TB prevention and care, allowing us to improve our programs and services while gaining insights into global trends, challenges, and solutions. Importantly, THINK will be presenting our significant work at various forums during the conference, showcasing our contributions to the TB fight and engaging in valuable knowledge-sharing with peers in the sector.
THINK, in collaboration with USAID, will present their work on the TB LON project during a satellite session titled “SS Improving Tuberculosis (TB) Recovery Plan in South Africa: Strategies and Lessons Learned.” Here are the speakers and topics:
| Riyadh Manesen (THINK) | The impact of Covid-19 on key TB recovery plan indicators in the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, 2019-2022. |
| Lynette Duckworth (THINK) | Digital X-Ray with CAD implementation and algorithm development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. |
| Moegamad Kahaar (MatCH) | Facilitating an effective Targeted Universal Tuberculosis Testing Methodology in Contacts Persons in Eastern Cape, South Africa. |
| Prineetha Naidoo (MatCH) | Promoting retention in care and treatment success through Enhanced Case Management (ECM) of patients with Tuberculosis in a rural district in Eastern Cape, South Africa. |
Other presentations by THINK & MatCH:
| Louisa Dunn (THINK) |
Oral presentation | High Prevalence of Severe Adverse Events Identified During Treatment Among Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) Deaths in KwaZulu-Natal, (KZN) South Africa, 2020. |
| Louisa Dunn (THINK) |
E-poster | TB/HIV Co-Infection and Drug Resistant-TB (DR-TB) Mortality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, 2020. |
| Abraham Malaza (THINK) |
E-poster | TB Control Programme Recovery following the COVID-19 lockdown in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa: An interrupted time series analysis 2020-2022. |
| Abraham Malaza (THINK) |
Oral abstract session | Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) short term treatment regimen associated with favourable treatment outcomes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: 2015 – 2020. |
| Masingita Lambane (THINK) | Oral presentation | Community-led TB Interventions: Improving Tuberculosis Services in Rural South Africa. |
| Nombuyiselo Msimango (MatCH) | Oral presentation | The value-add of capacity building and mentorship of Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses on gastric aspiration yields in Joe Gqabi district, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). |
Suzanne points out that this conference provides us with ample opportunities for networking and collaboration through interaction at exhibition areas, discussions after sessions, panel discussions and workshops – allowing for per chance meetings in the corridors and during coffee breaks. Often there are also events or sessions hosted by sponsors/partners before the conference or in the evenings, which allows for interaction in smaller groups.
THINK has been attending every year since our inception, either in person or virtually. This is our second year hosting a satellite session with USAID; we did one in 2021 as well. We have had at least one presenter (oral and e-posters) over the last few years – showcasing our programme work, research, and clinical trials.
Personally, Suzanne is eager to discover the latest developments in the field and delve into intriguing research findings and insights. “I’m especially excited about any new tech advancements and lessons from AI implementation, a field that’s always growing and changing, as well as the sessions on person-centred care,” she says. “I think we’re all also really looking forward to the conference being in-person this year, for the first time since COVID hit. It’s a great chance for us to finally reconnect face-to-face with colleagues and friends from around the globe.”
FOR MORE INFO visit https://theunion.org
