High-level Ministerial Meeting Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate to end TB in the South-East Asia Region

Overview

A high-level meeting on TB was held with the overall objective of undertaking reinvigoration of political commitment for sustained, accelerated and innovative approaches towards ending TB in the Region and arrive at a joint approach at the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) 2023.

Key objectives

• To review progress towards the targets set on political commitment from UNHLM 2018, assess the challenges posed by COVID-19 and lessons learnt relevant to the TB response;
• To position the TB response as a key entry point for country pandemic preparedness, resilient health systems and as an indicator for progress towards universal health coverage (UHC);
• To discuss and agree on urgent response measures, including upfront investments needed and South–South collaboration for a Region-wide enhanced response to ending TB;
• To issue a joint call for the UNHLM-TB 2023 to embark on immediate, synergistic action towards ending TB supported by adequate resources.

Accordingly, technical sessions were held on 16 August that brought together partners, communities and the three levels of WHO. The audience was provided with background information on progress towards ending TB in the South-East (SE) Asia Region. This was followed by three panel discussions on: Establishing multisectoral frameworks and platforms for sustained political commitment in each country; Harnessing new tools and technologies to optimize patient care; and Sustainable financing for ending TB in the South-East Asia Region. After the panel discussions, the participants gathered in plenary to discuss key priorities and approaches emerging from the panel discussions.

The Leadership track meeting on 17 August was attended by the Director-General, WHO, six health ministers in person and one virtually, regional directors of the SE Asia Region and European Region, a senior representative from the Global Fund, key partners, including community representatives, and experts from the SE Asia Region. This high-level ministerial meeting led to the “Gandhinagar Declaration” that calls for the following:

• Formation of multisectoral coordination mechanisms that report to the highest political level for monitoring progress towards ending TB and priority communicable diseases;
• Harnessing science and technology and improving access so that it is equitable and human rights-based through an integrated, primary health care approach;
• Allocating the necessary resources to meet TB service coverage targets and addressing the social determinants to have multi-disease impact, achieving the targets of universal health coverage and promoting pandemic preparedness.