As the world grapples with the COVID-19 crisis, SATB has been working with partners to create awareness and support communities during this time. Building on our experience of working in TB, SATB has been working to develop multilingual materials on COVID-19 awareness. The aim of these materials and campaigns is to sensitise people, reduce the stigma associated with COVID-19, curb misinformation and also engage in conversations about how infectious diseases in general can be tackled better from a patient perspective in health policy and programs.

We have been engaging specifically on concerns by TB patient and survivor communities. We have also extended our support to the Health Minister, as well as all Chief Ministers in specific high-burden states across the country to share our resources with them, as well as help them with communication efforts.

Some of our current focus areas include include:

• Understanding COVID-19 and its impact on TB
• Advocacy on TB Service Disruptions due to the COVID-19
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Coping
• COVID-19 Related Stigma and its reduction
• COVID-19 and its impact on Women, Persons with Disabilities, Elderly and the LGBTQIA+ Communities
• Lessons from TB to deal with COVID-19

This work has been communications based and involves working with partners and communities.