An integrated approach to eliminable diseases – Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate
Since 2015, when the SDG was adopted by the Heads of State in the UN General Assembly, there has been a global paradigm shift in communicable diseases from control to elimination. South-East Asia Region was already moving towards the elimination of various communicable diseases as it was part of the Regional Director’s flagship priority programme. Since then, the region has achieved more than 20 eliminations from one or more Member States, in addition to polio and neonatal tetanus. It is important to achieve SDG 3.3 on time and this will require adopting a newer approach and innovations to achieve the targets on time.
Member States in the WHO South-East Asia Region have demonstrated global leadership in galvanizing political commitment for ending TB and other communicable diseases in the context of universal healthcare, pandemic preparedness, and response. In the context of the United Nations High-Level Meetings on Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response (20 September); Universal Health Coverage (21 September); and the fight against Tuberculosis (22 September), there is an opportunity for us to interact on an integrated approach to eliminable diseases & building resilience and reaffirm our collective commitment towards achieving the SDG 3.3 targets on time.
Objective
The meeting is to demonstrate political commitment, highlight the specific needs of Member States, and discuss partnership opportunities and the way forward towards adopting and operationalization of a combined approach to disease elimination and building a resilient health system.