TB Support Groups
TB Support Group: From Survivors to Changemakers
Behind every successful fight against tuberculosis (TB) there is a story of solidarity, courage and care. In Tajikistan, that story is being written every day by the TB Support Group (TBSG) a growing network of outreach workers led by Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan to bring TB care closer to communities.
Formed in 2014 by just two TB survivors, the TBSG has grown into a dedicated team of 33 members including TB survivors, family members, social workers and nurses working across 11 districts and cities of the country. Their mission is challenging but possible, ensure no one faces TB alone.
What TBSG Members Do
On the frontlines of TB care, TBSG members work hand-in-hand with district healthcare professionals to:
- Detect all forms of TB including among key affected populations (KAPs)
- Conduct Contact Investigations (CI), using tools like portable AI-powered X-rays and skin tests
- Collect sputum samples directly from families
- Provide social escort and support for people with TB symptoms
- Support timely diagnosis, treatment initiation and treatment completion
- Raise community awareness and provide counseling on TB
- Address social barriers that prevent access to care
They don’t just support - they stand with people affected by TB every step of the way.
Why It Matters
TBSG isn’t just a support system, it’s a lifeline for people and communities affected by TB. It bridges gaps in healthcare, brings hope to families and helps build a multisectoral approach to TB by strengthening links with local government and other community actors.
From survivors to supporters, from two people to thirty-three, the TBSG is living proof that compassion and community can drive change. Every person they reach, every life they touch, brings us one step closer to a TB-free World.