Press Release
Workshop on SAARC Regional Technical Advisory Group on TB and HIV/AIDS in SAARC Member States
Hybrid | 24–25 September 2026
The SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan, conducted the SAARC Regional Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Workshop on Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS on 24–25 September 2026.
The two-day regional workshop brought together technical experts and participants from SAARC Member States to review programme progress, discuss common challenges and emerging priorities, and identify opportunities for strengthened regional technical collaboration. The Royal Government of Bhutan, as the host country, provided valuable support through local resource persons, coordinators and logistical arrangements. STAC officials and participants from other SAARC Member States participated virtually.
The first day focused on TB and was chaired by Dr. Ugyen Choden, Senior Medical Specialist, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH). Discussions covered early diagnosis, active case finding, TB preventive treatment, drug-resistant and paediatric TB, digital innovations and cross-border collaboration.
The second day focused on HIV/AIDS and was chaired by Dr. Sonam Zangmo, Infectious Disease Specialist, JDWNRH. Key areas included HIV prevention, testing, treatment, viral suppression, the regional reference laboratory, key populations, stigma and discrimination, and TB–HIV collaboration.
The workshop also explored the need, scope, mandate and potential functions of SAARC Regional Technical Advisory Groups on TB and HIV/AIDS. The discussions are expected to contribute to the development and operationalization of Regional TAGs as a platform for evidence-based technical guidance, knowledge sharing, regional collaboration and practical solutions towards accelerating progress on TB and HIV/AIDS elimination in the SAARC region.
#SAARC #STAC #TB #HIV #RegionalCooperation #TBElimination
