Toward a Healthier South-East Asia through Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) - building on the legacy of kala-azar elimination for integrated public health delivery
A side event during the Seventy-eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Background
WHO SEARO, in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the Government of India, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Gates Foundation is organizing a side event during the Seventy-eighth Session of the Regional Committee “Sustaining Gains, Expanding Horizons: From a 20-Year Journey of Regional Kala-azar Elimination Commitment and Innovation Toward a Healthier South-East Asia through Multi-Disease Elimination,” to bel held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 14 October 2025.
This event commemorates the 20th anniversary of signing the Regional Memorandum of Understanding for kala-azar elimination in South-East Asia, recognizing the concerted achievements of Member States, technical experts, and partners.
The session will highlight lessons learned, success drivers, and emerging opportunities, and introduce a new integrated public health vision - the People-Centred Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) approach - for the Region.
Objectives of the Side Event
- To highlight achievements, success factors and lessons learnt in the Regional Kala-azar Elimination Initiative, including the enabling role of cross-border collaboration on the occasion 20th year anniversary of the Regional Kala-azar Elimination MOU.
- To introduce the People-Centered Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) approach, its relevance to the South-East Asia Region.
- To identify opportunities for integrated and cost-effective public health delivery and discuss the role of governance, multi-sectoral action, and health system strengthening in sustaining elimination gains.
- To catalyze political commitment and consensus and partners support for a Regional Multi-Disease Elimination Initiative.
Time and agenda
14 October 2025, 18:00 - 19:30 India Standard Time
Maldives (Male): IST – 00:30; Sri Lanka (Colombo): IST + 00:00; Nepal (Kathmandu): IST + 00:15; Bangladesh (Dhaka) & Bhutan (Thimphu): IST + 00:30; Myanmar (Yangon): IST + 01:00; Thailand (Bangkok): IST + 01:30; DPR Korea (Pyongyang) & Timor Leste (Dili) IST + 03:30
| Time | Agenda item |
| 18:00 - 18:05 | Opening remarks – WHO-SEARO Leadership |
| 18:05 - 18:11 | Address by host countries (India, Nepal) |
| 18:11 - 18:16 | Video: Road to elimination of Kala-Azar in South-East Asia |
| 18:16 - 18:23 | Keynote Address 1: Journey towards the India sub-continent free from kala-azar – the power of regional partnership, lessons learnt and the way forward (Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly) |
| 18:23 - 18:43 | Panel Discussion Part 1: Success factors, lessons learnt and the way forward to accelerate and sustain elimination of kala-azar in South-East Asia - Country representatives (India, Bangladesh, Nepal) - Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) - Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) |
| 18:43 - 18:51 | Keynote Address 2: Regional Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) Initiative – Opportunities, challenges and the way forward (Dr Suman Rijal, WHO-SEARO) |
| 18:51 - 19:11 | Panel Discussion Part 2: Accelerating and sustaining elimination of kala-azar through multi-disease elimination approach in South-East Asia - Country representatives (Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand) - Gates Foundation - PATH |
| 19:11 - 19:26 | Open Floor / Q&A |
| 19:26 - 19:30 | Concluding Remarks by host country (India) |
https://who.zoom.us/j/95616485160
Password: RC78@side
Expected outcomes
- Celebration of the 20th year anniversary of the Regional Kala-azar Elimination MOU and recognition of its success in accelerating Kala-azar elimination in the Region
- Increased awareness and commitment to the Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) approach among Member States and partners in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Further information
Leaflet for the event: A5 Leaflet - RC side event on KA and MDE
Concept note for the event: Concept note - SEA RC Side Event on kala-azar elimination and multi-disease elimination