Send a letter to your Local MP!

Read the draft letter here:

Dear [MP's Name] - If you are unsure who your MP is, you can check here.

Re: Tuberculosis in the UK

Congratulations on your recent election to Parliament. I want to wish you every success over the coming five years and am eager to support you in addressing one of the critical health challenges facing both our nation and the world; tuberculosis (TB)

My name is [Your Name] and I am based at [Your Institution] in your constituency. I am writing on behalf of the UK Academics and Professionals To End TB (UKAPTB), a collective of scientists, researchers, doctors, nurses, lived-experience activists and civil society organisations dedicated to eradicating TB. Despite significant medical advancements, TB remains a formidable global health threat, with millions affected each year.

TB is on the rise in the UK in all four countries. The UK looks set to lose our WHO low-incidence country status as early as next year due to chronic underfunding of domestic surveillance and treatment programmes. TB notifications are increasing in both UK-born and non-UK-born citizens and key vulnerable groups, including prisoners, the homeless and those living in poverty, remain at high risk of contracting TB. We have doctors and nurses who are at the forefront of the fight against TB in the NHS, putting into practice the research and innovations developed by the scientific community at large.

There is a similar picture internationally. TB is on the rise across the world, including drug-resistant (DR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, at a time when funding sources are running dry. TB is an imminent threat to global health security, and the old adage: ‘no one is safe until we are all safe’ is very much the case in the fight against TB.

The UK, with its rich history of medical research and innovation, plays a pivotal role in the global fight against this disease. Our network comprises experts from leading universities and research institutions across the UK, all working tirelessly to develop new treatments, improve diagnostics, and understand the socio-economic factors that exacerbate TB's impact. We believe that strong collaboration between policymakers and the scientific community is essential to making meaningful progress against TB.

To this end, we would like you to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Global TB, who we work with closely to advocate for better TB outcomes both domestically and internationally. The APPG is hosting its World TB Day reception on Tuesday 25 March and I would strongly encourage you to attend to learn more about the domestic and international dimensions of TB. Further, we would very much welcome an opportunity to discuss the TB and the work of the UKAPTB with you further. We would be happy to host you at [Your Institution], or we are equally happy to meet you in Parliament or in your constituency. We are very flexible and can accommodate your no-doubt very busy schedule.

We look forward to the opportunity to work together to improve health outcomes both in the UK and globally.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]