Integrated Communicable Disease Control
The ICD Unit strengthens primary health care to reach the unreached, using data, AI, and special approaches. It supports countries in integrating services, driving multisectoral action, and empowering communities to prevent, control, and eliminate diseases.
WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
© Credits

The Integrated Communicable Disease (ICD) Unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is dedicated to reducing the burden of communicable diseases by strengthening prevention, control, and elimination efforts. The ICD Unit works with WHO Country Offices and Member States to integrate disease-specific programs into primary health care (PHC). This ensures that essential services reach the most underserved and hard-to-reach populations.

Through cross-programmatic collaboration and co-creation, the ICD Unit assists countries in integrating disease control efforts, thereby maximising resources, improving efficiency, and delivering person-centred care. By prioritising equity and sustainability, the ICD Unit ensures that at-risk communities have consistent access to prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and care. It also provides technical expertise, policy guidance, and data-driven strategies to enhance disease surveillance and strengthen health systems.

Working alongside governments, health partners, and communities, the ICD Unit drives action toward a future free from infectious diseases, supporting the journey to universal health coverage (UHC) through PHC.

Dr Rajendra Yadav

Coordinator, Integrated Communicable Diseases Unit

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Latest publications

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Immunization program data: regional and country profiles 2022

This publication includes regional and national trends on vaccine-preventable disease cases and immunization coverage in the Western Pacific Region as...

Addressing trust through digitally enabled community engagement approaches in HIV/AIDS

The coronavirus disease (‎COVID-19)‎ pandemic caused severe disruptions in HIV/AIDS programming and service delivery, negatively impacting Cambodia’s...

Hepatitis B Control: Country Profile 2020

Hepatitis B Control: Country Profile 2020

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Collaborating centers

Institution

Diseases

Country

Areas of support

Contact

Institution’s website

The Albion Street Centre

HIV/AIDS, STIs, hepatitis

Australia

1. Support elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.
2. Promote WHO guidelines for HIV/STI elimination.

Prof. Julian Gold <Julian.Gold@health.nsw.gov.au>

http://thealbioncentre.org.au/

New South Wales Health Pathology, Microbiology
New South Wales Ministry of Health

STIs, AMR

Australia

1. Strengthen Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme.
2. Support implantation of the Global AMR Surveillance System.

Prof Monica Lahra <Monica.Lahra@health.nsw.gov.au>

http://www.seals.health.nsw.gov.au/microbiology/.a

Research and Molecular Development, Epidemiology, and Virology Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL)

hepatitis

Australia

1. Strengthen capacity for viral hepatitis elimination.
2. Provide technical support for viral hepatitis care.

Prof Benjamin Cowie <whoccvh@mh.org.au>

https://www.doherty.edu.au/viralhepatitis

National Center for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

STIs

China

1. Support implementation of the Global Health Sector Strategies 2022-2030.
2. Enhance capacity for Gonococcal Surveillance Programme.

Prof Xiang-Sheng Chen <chenxs@ncstdlc.org>

http://www.ncstdc.org/

STD/AIDS Centre for Treatment and Care, Beijing Ditan Hospital

HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis

China

1. Promote WHO guidelines on antiretroviral drugs.
2. Develop sustainable service models for HIV.

Dr Jin Ronghua <jinronghuadt@163.com>

Prof Fujie Zhang <treatment@chinaaids.cn>

http://www.aidschannel.cn

Department of Internal Medicine/ Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa University

hepatitis, liver cancer

Japan

1. Provide technical assistance for liver cancer.
2. Disseminate WHO hepatitis guidelines and training.

Dr Tetsuro Shimakami <shimakami@m-kanazawa.jp>

Dr Rika Horii <kotaran527@gmail.com>

http://www.m-kanazawa.jp/whocc/en/

National Serology Reference Laboratory
St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research

HIV/AIDS, hepatitis

Australia

1. Build capacities for quality assurance in HIV, hepatitis, syphilis.
2. Maintain specimen repositories for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, COVID-19.
3. Provide lab support for HIV, hepatitis, HTLV-1, syphilis.

Dr Philippa Hetzel <philippa@nrlquality.org.au>

Dr Wayne Dimech <wayne@nrlquality.org.au>

http://www.nrlquality.org.au

Department of Vector Biology and Control, National Institute for Communicable

Vector-borne diseases, rodent-borne diseases, diseases caused by ectoparasites

China

1. Support entomological surveillance and insecticide resistance monitoring.
2. Conduct training on vector surveillance and control.
3. Collaborate with other WHO Collaborating Centres on vector diseases.
4. Support control of rodents and rodent-borne diseases.

Prof. Qiyong Liu <liuqiyong@icdc.cn>

https://icdc.chinacdc.cn/

Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases

malaria

China

1. Support WHO's capacity building for malaria.

3.
Provide input into WHO reports on malaria policies and practices.
4. Conduct research to aid malaria elimination efforts.

Prof. Cao Jun <caojuncn@hotmail.com>

http://www.jipd.com/

Division of Medical Entomology Institute for Medical Research

malaria, lymphatic filariasis, arboviral diseases, dengue, chikungunya, zika

Malaysia

1. Support research on malaria, filariasis, arboviral diseases.
2. Assist in identifying simian malaria vectors.
3. Test new vector control methods and strategies.

Dr Mohd Khadri Shahar <khadri@moh.gov.my>

https://imr.nih.gov.my/en/

Environmental Health Institute
National Environment Agency

dengue, arboviral diseases

Singapore

1. Strengthen entomological, viral surveillance, and dengue networks.
2. Provide testing protocols and surveillance kits.
3. Support implementation
of WHO's Global Arbovirus Initiative.

Dr Ng Lee Ching <ng_Lee_ching@nea.gov.sg>

Dr Cheong Huat Tan <tan_cheong_huat@nea.gov.sg>

https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/resources/research/environmental_health_institute/environmental-health-institute

Australian Army Malaria Institute

malaria

Australia

1. Provide technical support and training for malaria.

Prof Dennis Shanks <dennis.shanks2099@gmail.com>

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/wellbeing/adf-malaria-infectious-disease-institute

Department of Parasitology Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

malaria

Philippines

1. Evaluate malaria diagnostic tests.
2. Strengthen quality assurance for malaria diagnosis.
3. Advise WHO on malaria diagnostic services.

Atty Ana-Liza Hombrado-Duran <alphduran@yahoo.com>

https://ritm.gov.ph/

Institute of Parasitic Diseases (IPD) Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (China CDC)

malaria, schistosomiasis, NTDs

China

1. Support WHO in creating evidence on NTDs.
2. Provide support for WHO's tropical diseases network.
3. Facilitate information exchange on tropical diseases control.
4. Conduct research to aid tropical diseases elimination.

Dr Xiao-Nong Zhou <zhouxn1@chinacdc.cn>

http://www.ipd.org.cn/

Public Health Interventions Research Programme, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales

NTDs, Filarial infections

Australia

1. Support data analysis for NTDs.
2. Strengthen operational research on NTDs.

Prof. John Kaldor <jkaldor@kirby.unsw.edu.au>

Associate Prof. Susana Vaz Nery <snery@kirby.unsw.edu.au>

http://https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/

Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory (MRL), Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL)

Buruli ulcer

Australia

1. Record and report M. ulcerans cases systematically.
2. Train scientists in M. ulcerans diagnosis techniques.
3. Increase awareness of M. ulcerans disease globally.

Prof. Tim Stinear <tstinear@unimelb.edu.au>

http://www.vidrl.org.au/

College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University

Vector-borne diseases, NTDs, Lymphatic filariasis

Australia

1. Support WHO capacity building for VBDs and NTDs.
2. Scale-up WHO vector control and NTD strategies.
3. Develop innovative NTD surveillance strategies for WHO.
4. Support lymphatic filariasis management with integrated services.
5. Participate in research on vector control and health resilience.

Prof. Maxine Whittaker <maxine.whittaker@jcu.edu .au>

Castellanos Reynosa <maria.castellanosreynosa @jcu.edu.au>

http://www.jcu.edu.au

Tropical Diseases Group, at the Infection and Immunity Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

scabies

Australia

1. Assist WHO in estimating global scabies burden.
2. Provide expert interpretation of scabies diagnostics data.
3. Develop training materials for scabies control programs.
4. Advocate for access to scabies medications.

Dr Andrew Steer <andrew.steer@mcri.edu.au>

http://www.mcri.edu.au

Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases

schistosomiasis

China

1. Assist in training for schistosomiasis control.
2. Support WHO's research on schistosomiasis.

Prof. Songyue Liang <liangsongyue@sina.com>

Dr Feiyue Li <lify1010@163.com>

http://www.xyyy60.com

Department of Virology, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University

tropical and emerging viral diseases

Japan

1. Participate in studies on tropical, emerging viruses.
2. Collaborate on vaccines, antivirals for tropical viruses.
3. Develop, evaluate rapid tests for virus detection.
4. Strengthen capacity for laboratory diagnosis of tropical and emerging viruses

Dr Kouichi Morita <moritak@nagasaki-u.ac.jp>

https://nagasaki-u.2floor.work

Queensland Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory (QMRL)
Pathology Queensland Central laboratory at Royal Brisbane Hospital

tuberculosis

Australia

1. Provide reference services for Mycobacterium tuberculosis testing.
2. Offer training in tuberculosis diagnosis and susceptibility testing.
3. Support Quality Assurance programs and provide testing samples.

Dr Chris Coulter <Chris.Coulter@health.qld.gov.au>

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qhcss/qhps/default.asp

Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), University of Sydney

tuberculosis

Australia

1. Support TB control and lab management capacity building.
2. Assist high-burden countries in implementing End TB Strategy.
3. Provide input for WHO's evidence-based TB policies.

Prof Ben Marais <ben.marais@sydney.edu.au>

A/Prof Greg Fox <gregory.fox@sydney.edu.au>

https://www.sydney.edu.au/infectious-diseases-institute/

The Clinical Center on Tuberculosis, China CDC, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University

tuberculosis

China

1. Promote WHO standards on TB care and prevention.
2. Contribute to capacity building for WHO End TB Strategy.
3. Support WHO research and evaluation on TB.

Dr Sun Yuxian <yuxian960224@yeah.net>

http://www.bjxkyy.cn

Research Institute of Tuberculosis (RIT), Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association

tuberculosis

Japan

1. Support TB control and lab management capacity building.
2. Assist implementation of the End TB Strategy in high-burden countries.
3. Support quality assurance for national TB reference laboratories.

Dr Seiya Kato <kato@jata.or.jp>

http://www.jata.or.jp/eindex.htm

Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, The Korean National Tuberculosis Association

tuberculosis

Republic of Korea

1. Assist implementation of the End TB Strategy in high-burden countries.
2. Support quality assurance for national TB reference laboratories.
3. Promote TB care capacity building in high-burden countries.

Dr Gyeong-In Lee <gyeonginlee@hanmail.net>

http://www.knta.or.kr/