MEDTROP 2023: REDE-TB National Workshop strengthens fight against Tuberculosis

In its tenth edition, the workshop has as its theme “Innovation to eliminate tuberculosis: networked knowledge”

The 58th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine (MEDTROP) is approaching and promises to be a milestone in the field of Tropical Medicine. In addition to the main activities, the event offers an exclusive program of satellite events, which expand the horizons and enrich the experience of the participants. These events, held in parallel to the main congress, address current and emerging issues, bring renowned experts and stimulate scientific debate. Among the satellite events that will take place during MEDTROP 2023, the X National Workshop of REDE-TB, the ChagasLeish Annual Meeting and the 8th Brazilian Social Forum for Confronting Infectious and Neglected Diseases stand out.

On the global health scene, tuberculosis continues to pose a significant challenge. To intensify efforts to fight this disease, the X National Workshop of REDE-TB, which this year has as its theme “Innovation to eliminate tuberculosis: knowledge in a network“, brings together specialists, health professionals, researchers and members of civil society committed to the fight against tuberculosis. This event, held annually, aims to promote the exchange of information, update participants on the latest scientific advances and strengthen collaboration between the different actors involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB.

Marked by a comprehensive and diverse program, the event addresses a wide range of topics in lectures by renowned national and international experts who bring valuable insights into innovative prevention strategies, state-of-the-art diagnostic approaches, new treatments and integrated care models. For the president of the Brazilian Tuberculosis Research Network REDE-TB, Dr. Ricardo Arcêncio, one of the strengths of the workshop is the exchange of knowledge among participants. “The diversity of perspectives and the integration between researchers and health professionals allow for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to face the challenges of tuberculosis. New partnerships are formed, innovative ideas are shared and joint strategies are developed, contributing to the continuous improvement of practices and policies related to TB”, he emphasizes.

In addition to lectures, the workshop also provides spaces for group discussions, round tables and presentations of scientific papers. “These interactive sessions encourage debate and collaboration among participants, allowing different perspectives and experiences to be shared. The exchange of ideas and interaction between professionals are essential to strengthen TB coping strategies”, adds Dr. Arcêncio. In addition, the event promotes awareness about the disease and the importance of its control. The discussions and results of the event are disseminated to a wider audience, including health professionals, managers, policy makers and society in general. This dissemination contributes to a greater understanding of tuberculosis and to the engagement of different sectors of society in the fight against the disease.

For Dr. Arcêncio, one of the main achievements of this event is the creation of partnerships and alliances between research and teaching institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society and health authorities. “The collaboration between these actors is essential for the development and implementation of effective policies and programs to combat tuberculosis. In this sense, the workshop provides an environment conducive to the formation of these partnerships, encouraging synergy and cooperation between participants”, he says. For him, as the workshop evolves and consolidates over the years, it becomes a national and international reference in the fight against tuberculosis, allowing REDE-TB and its partners to continue to promote research, the implementation of policies and concrete actions to reduce the incidence of TB, improve access to health services and ensure effective treatments for all patients.

During the Workshop, several relevant topics are addressed, such as tuberculosis prevention and control strategies, innovative diagnostic methods, development of new treatments, public health approaches, health policies and advocacy. In addition, issues related to antimicrobial resistance, co-infections, TB in vulnerable groups and the social and economic impacts of the disease are discussed. The Doctor. Arcêncio recognizes the importance of an integrated approach, which combines quality scientific research, efficient implementation of policies and coordinated actions between the public and private sectors, although he recognizes that the challenges related to tuberculosis can be complex. “In this way, the workshop serves as an impetus for the search for innovative and sustainable solutions. It is a comprehensive forum that brings together professionals from different areas and offers a platform to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in combating this disease, promoting discussions, presentations of studies and debates on the main challenges and advances in the field”, concludes the president from REDE-TB.