# Indian NGO REACH Awarded 2026 Kochon Prize for TB Efforts REACH becomes India's first civil society organization to receive this global tuberculosis recognition. - **Source:** [Sci-Tech News | Latest Technological Developments | The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6fe784d8-d976-4bc3-b969-0acf1f599d67 ## Global Recognition for REACH The Resource group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health, known as REACH, has been awarded the 2026 Kochon Prize. This marks the first time an Indian civil society, non-profit organization has received this prestigious global honor. The award recognizes their dedicated contributions toward strengthening the national tuberculosis response across India. ## Partnership and Award Ceremony The Kochon Foundation, an independent Korean non-profit, presents this prize in partnership with the Stop TB Partnership. The 2026 award was officially presented during the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Indonesia on November 5, 2026. This year, the prize is shared with two other international entities: Kenya's Centre for Health Solutions. ## Shared Global Honors Alongside REACH, the Marshall Islands TB Control Program also received the 2026 Kochon Prize. This recognition highlights a collective global effort to combat tuberculosis. Previous Indian recipients of this award include L.S. Chauhan in 2006, the Indian Council of Medical Research in 2017, and the diagnostic company Molbio Diagnostics in 2024. ## Integrated Care Philosophy Nalini Krishnan, chairperson and co-founder of REACH, emphasizes a philosophy of treating the person rather than just the disease. The organization focuses on overcoming barriers to care by addressing social, community, family, and mental health challenges. This integrated approach ensures that clinical needs are supported by understanding the patient's broader reality. ## Expert Endorsement of Methods Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at the WHO, nominated REACH for this award. She describes the organization as a women-led group that remains ahead of the curve in public health action. Swaminathan notes that they successfully combine genuine human care with a robust scientific approach and a deep understanding of India's landscape. ## Community-Led Implementation Director Ramya Ananthakrishnan attributes this success to the dedication of community health workers, TB Nanbans, and TB Champions. These individuals work directly with families affected by tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases. Their trust and commitment are central to the organization's ability to facilitate equitable access to health services for those in need. ## Tuberculosis Control Context Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge requiring multifaceted interventions beyond simple medical treatment. Organizations like REACH play a critical role in bridging the gap between clinical services and community realities. By addressing situational challenges, they improve adherence to treatment protocols and long-term health outcomes for vulnerable populations in India. ## Future Impact and Legacy Receiving the Kochon Prize provides international validation for REACH's community-centric model. This recognition is expected to energize their ongoing efforts to expand equitable health access. As the first Indian NGO to achieve this, REACH sets a precedent for how civil society organizations can effectively influence national health outcomes through advocacy. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indian-ngo-reach-receives-kochon-prize-2026/article71673359.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._