Report of the Webinar on Strengthening National Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for sustaining and accelerating RMNCAH agenda and maintaining essential health services during the pandemic

Overview

Background

A webinar was held from 30-31 March 2022, to strengthen the National Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for sustaining and accelerating RMNCAH agenda and maintaining essential health services during the pandemic. The RMNCAH programme managers from the Ministries of Health of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, WHO Country Offices, SEARO, headquarters and UN staff from respective countries participated in the Webinar. Presentations were made by programme managers from Ministries of Health, WHO SEARO and headquarters. Approximately 150 number of participants attended the webinar each day.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar were:

General

To assess the progress of the establishment of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for RMNCAH in the Member States of SEAR

Specific objectives

• To map the availability and functionality of TAG for RMNCAH or TWG for RMNCAH in the Member States
• To share the lessons learned with regard to functional TAGs in selected Member States
• To share lessons learned from national TWGs/similar technical groups created during COVID-19, their role and effectiveness during the pandemic in the three investment project countries (Bangladesh, Nepal and Timor-Leste)
• To share a case study on successful TAG, such as the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG)
• To discuss strategies to strengthen the role of RMNCAH TAG during and beyond the pandemic through policy dialogue.