KNCV Tuberculosefonds.
For over 120 years, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) has stood as a leader in the fight against tuberculosis, evolving from a national initiative into an internationally renowned expertise center.
Founded in 1903, KNCV initially focused on community-based TB control in the Netherlands. By the 1970s, its scope had expanded globally, helping to pioneer the standardized approaches for TB prevention, treatment and care that are still in use worldwide. Today, KNCV remains at the forefront of global health, playing a pivotal role in research, implementation, and the fight against emerging health challenges.
KNCV combines epidemiological research with practical implementation, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into real-world impact. Over the years, its work has expanded beyond TB to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pandemic preparedness. “TB systems are inherently health system interventions,” Beatrijs Stikkers, KNCV’s representative to the Hub emphasizes. “They integrate diagnostics, supply chains, communities, and patients. During the COVID-19 response, many global health systems relied heavily on the infrastructure we’ve built for TB. The same applies to AMR, where 25% of AMR deaths are related to drug resistant TB. Our experience offers critical lessons for addressing these global threats.”
Partnership with the Hub
KNCV is committed to providing collaboration and innovation. The Hub provides a platform for connecting organizations and expertise, enabling partners to tackle complex health challenges collectively. Stikkers: “The Hub acts as a bridge, connecting ministries, civil society, and knowledge institutions. It’s a crucial space for exchanging insights and fostering partnerships that can turn ideas into impactful solutions.”
The Global Health Hub amplifies KNCV’s ability to connect with other stakeholders and inform policy. Stikkers highlights the importance of creating dialogues between civil servants and experts. “The Hub plays an essential role in informing ministries and ensuring that science, civil society, and government align their efforts. It’s not just about exchanging knowledge—it’s about turning that knowledge into action.”
One of KNCV’s key priorities is ensuring that innovations, from advanced diagnostics to vaccines, are implemented effectively and scaled up. “We’ve moved beyond relying on 90-year-old treatments and 100-year-old vaccines,” Stikkers explains. “The global investment in TB research has in the past 10 to 15 years led to groundbreaking advances. Our role is to validate these innovations and embed them into health systems, making them ready for scale-up. That’s how we ensure sustainable change.”
KNCV also values the Hub’s ability to bring together diverse sectors. Stikkers: “No single organization can address these challenges alone. The Hub strengthens the ties between sectors, allowing us to combine our expertise and make a real difference.”
Looking ahead, KNCV hopes to use its partnership with the Hub to drive progress on three critical issues: AMR, pandemic preparedness, and the intersection of security, climate and health. Stikkers: “We need to think beyond our organizations and align our goals with others in the Hub. By bringing these groups together, we can amplify our impact and build a more resilient global health system.”