Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs Programmes
Partners, Colleagues, Friends, and Associates,
Greetings, and welcome to the National Programme Manager’s meeting on strengthening implementation of integrated service delivery to end AIDS, viral hepatitis and STIs in the South-East Asia Region.
This is such meeting brings together National Programme Managers for TB, HIV, hepatitis and STIs. This is so important because of the overarching aim to revitalize TB-HIV collaboration and exploring converging viral hepatitis services in TB programmes (as part of integrated service approaches).
The third meeting of STAG-HHS is also being held in conjunction with this meeting. This should provide expert insights in the evolving priorities for countries and for our region.
I think you all know that in the WHO South-East Asia Region, there is a substantial burden on health due to HIV, STI and viral hepatitis.
We have almost 4 million people living with HIV, more than 61 million with hepatitis B, and more than 9 million with hepatitis C.
Every year, we have 60 million new cases of the four curable sexually transmitted infections (STI).
More than 300 000 people die of causes attributable to HIV and viral hepatitis every year.
There has been notable progress in improving treatment coverage among pregnant women with HIV, but HIV-exposed infants continue to be infected.
Still, two out of five pregnant mothers, and one out of four children, are not receiving the antiretroviral drugs they need.
We have an estimated 145 cases of congenital syphilis per 100 000 live births - 3 times higher than the global elimination goal.
We must ramp up universal screening of HBV among pregnant women in our Region. We also have to continue to ensure infants get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours.
The coverage of viral Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C test and treatment in the region remains unacceptably low.
There has been progress in TB-HIV response, but coverage of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy is far from the target of 90%.
There is good news too. New HIV Infections, and HIV-related deaths have gone down. HIV positive TB incidence and mortality have also declined.
Coverage of HIV testing and treatment has also improved.
In 2016, Thailand was the first country in Asia that was validated to have achieved elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis, followed by Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2019.
Six countries in our Region were verified to have achieved the hepatitis B control goal of less than 1% among children.
Hepatitis B birth dose coverage has expanded to 8 countries.
Against this backdrop, what should be our focus for the future?
Hepatitis, HIV and STI services must be integrated. This has to focus on enhancing efficiency, bridging gaps, and reducing fragmentation - and has to leverage the role of private health care providers.
We have must incorporate hepatitis testing and treatment within the package of essential primary health care services in all countries. Treatment must be accessible within the community, as part of universal health coverage.
Collaborative efforts between TB and HIV programmes are essential. This necessitates engagement with multiple sectors, including the private sector, other ministries, civil society and NGOs.
We need to accelerate efforts towards the elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B. We are determined to ensure no child is born with these preventable infections.
Countries must realign the funding allocated to overall health and each of the three diseases, so that service delivery is optimized to delivering the maximum impact.
In conclusion, I’d like to extend thanks to all our partners, donors, friends, and associates, who have supported and enabled the progress we have made.
I once again thank you all, and commend you for your hard work, commitment, and resolve - throughout the COVID-19 response - to maintain essential health services including for HIV, hepatitis, STIs, and TB.
I look forward to this Advisory Group’s insights in each of these areas and more and am pleased to assure you of WHO’s committed support.
I wish you all a productive meeting, and hope you have an enjoyable stay in Bangkok.
Thank you.