Developing an integrated Regional Action Plan for viral hepatitis, HIV and STIs in the South-East Asia Region, 2022–2026

The Seventy-fourth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia has adopted a decision[1] to develop an integrated Regional Action Plan (RAP) for viral hepatitis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for the period, 2022–2026. Through this decision, the Regional Committee has requested the WHO Regional Director, to undertake a consultative and evidence-informed process with Member States and other relevant stakeholders, to develop the RAP. The new integrated RAP will build on the current RAPs[2],[3], and will be aligned with the SDGs and the upcoming Global Health Sector Strategies (GHSS) on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs, 2022–2030.[4]

While noting progress in all three areas based on the working paper[5], as well as the progress reports[6],[7],[8], the Regional Committee also noted the gaps in reaching the 2020 interim targets, and some of the challenges that were highlighted by Member States. Noting the related social determinants; disproportionate disease burden among key populations and other factors such as stigma and discrimination associated with hepatitis, HIV and STIs, the need for maximising interventions among key populations and creating an enabling environment was emphasized. The need to accelerate coverage of testing and treatment services, including through large scale adoption of innovative technologies; simplified approaches at the primary health care level; and community participation, were emphasized in addition to strengthening surveillance and strategic information.

The upcoming RAP is a major opportunity to accelerate integrated and people-centric services related to viral hepatitis, HIV and STIs at decentralized levels under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Implementation of the RAP is expected to accelerate efforts towards the 2030 goals through simplified service delivery approaches and improved access to diagnostic and therapeutic commodities in Member States in the Region. This will also contribute to the Regional flagship priorities on UHC, and disease elimination.

In this regard, we had a series of consultations with the national programme managers, partner organizations, communities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders on the draft integrated Regional Action Plan for viral hepatitis, HIV and STIs in the South-East Asia Region, 2022–2026. These inputs have been incorporated and a pre-final draft is available at this link. Please send your further feedback if any to SEA-HHS@who.int latest by 5 June 2022.

[1] World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia. (‎2021)‎. Decisions from the Seventy-fourth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, September 2021. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/345273

Link to pre-final draft of the RAP. Please send your feedback to SEA-HHS@who.int by 5 June 2022.