Toward a Healthier South-East Asia through Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) – building on the legacy of kala-azar elimination for integrated public health deliveryA side event during the Seventy-eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, Colombo, Sri LankaBackground

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

TimeAgenda item18:00 – 18:05Opening remarks – WHO-SEARO Leadership18:05 – 18:11Address by host countries (India, Nepal)18:11 – 18:16Video: Road to elimination of Kala-Azar in South-East Asia18:16 – 18:23Keynote 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 – 18:43Panel 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 – 18:51Keynote Address 2:
Regional Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) Initiative – Opportunities, challenges and the way forward (Dr Suman Rijal, WHO-SEARO)18:51 – 19:11Panel 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 – 19:26Open Floor / Q&A19:26 – 19:30Concluding Remarks by host country (India)

 

Zoom link

https://who.zoom.us/j/95616485160
Password: RC78@side

Expected outcomesCelebration of the 20th year anniversary of the Regional Kala-azar Elimination MOU and recognition of its success in accelerating Kala-azar elimination in the RegionIncreased awareness and commitment to the Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) approach among Member States and partners in the WHO South-East Asia RegionFurther 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