Chong Kun Dang's Gochon Award includes organizations from the Marshall Islands, India, and Kenya... Tuberculosis Response Achievements

The Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation announced on the 9th that it selected and awarded the 20th Gochon Award to organizations in the Marshall Islands, India, and Kenya that have achieved success in early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

The three award-winning organizations are the Marshall Islands Tuberculosis Control Program, India's Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH), and the Kenya Health Solutions Center.

These organizations were evaluated for improving access to early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and creating results through integration with other health services.

Specifically, the Marshall Islands Tuberculosis Control Program was recognized for its contribution to establishing a community-centered health care system that integrated screening for tuberculosis, diabetes, and leprosy.

An integrated screening was conducted on approximately 20,000 residents of Majuro, the capital, and 314 patients with active tuberculosis were discovered, achieving a treatment success rate of 95.9%.

India's REACH collaborated with private medical institutions and pharmacies to expand the early diagnosis and patient support system for tuberculosis.

This organization screened about 1.5 million people through 180 medical institutions and identified about 3,000 patients with tuberculosis. Additionally, treatment and counseling were provided to approximately 400,000 tuberculosis patients.

The Kenya Health Solutions Center used innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based chest X-rays and mobile diagnostic equipment to increase the probability of tuberculosis diagnosis in medically underserved areas.

Through integrated screening linking tuberculosis, respiratory disease, mental health, and nutrition, health care services were provided to approximately 165,000 people, and 1,876 new tuberculosis patients were identified.

At the awards ceremony held in Bali, Indonesia on the 5th, the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation also presented awards to these organizations and the 19th Gochon Award winners, which were scheduled to be awarded earlier this year.

Previously, the 19th Gochon Award went to Pakistan's Dhoparsi Foundation and Nigeria's International Cooperation Project for Tuberculosis Eradication, which contributed to securing and expanding domestic financial resources to respond to tuberculosis despite poor political and financial conditions.

The Pakistan Dhofasi Foundation led the establishment of Pakistan's first tuberculosis eradication clinics' league and contributed to securing finances to respond to tuberculosis through cooperation with the government.

The Nigeria Tuberculosis Eradication International Cooperation Group secured financial resources to respond to tuberculosis by attracting the participation of the government and private companies, and through this, expanded the tuberculosis diagnosis infrastructure.

Jeong Jae-jeong, chairman of the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation, said, "The Gochon Award, now in its 20th year, has highlighted the contributions of those who have dedicated themselves to eradicating tuberculosis. We will continue to provide support so that efforts to realize a world without tuberculosis can continue in each country."