To share experiences and strengthen knowledge of TB, HIV/AIDS and other Respiratory Diseases.
To evolve practical proposal for dealing with problem of these diseases.
To foresee the situation and strengthen the national programmes in the region.
To build partnership between governmental, non-governmental organizations and all stakeholders working for control and prevention of these diseases.
To provide platform for professionals and researchers to present their work and views to seek their advice from other colleagues.
To share new inventions/advanced achievements regarding these issues.
The recommendations of the Conference:
Appreciating the high TB load and emerging HIV threat in member countries, the conference emphasised urgent need for expediting the efforts of member countries in controlling TB and preventing HIV/AIDS so as to achieve the millennium development goals.
It was noted with appreciation that member countries of the region have already achieved/ are near to achieving the global target of 85% cure rate of New Smear Positive (NSP) cases. However, for achieving the global target of detecting 70% NSP cases in most of the countries of the region, innovative approaches acceptable and adoptable in the local and focal situations need to be identified and adopted. DOTS services need to be made available to the ‘un-reached population’. Support from funding mechanisms like GFATM, FIDELIS (Fund for Innovative DOTS Expansion by Local Initiatives to Stop TB) and other such agencies could be explored for the purpose.
While appreciating the efforts made by member countries in fostering inter-sectoral coordination and Public-Private Mix, the conference urged for effective Public-Public, Private-Private and Public-Private partnerships. Social status of private sector also needs to be utilized for advocacy purposes.
The conference recommends intensive efforts to involve corporate sector in TB & HIV/ AIDS control programmes of member countries.
Conference noted that; although, there has been involvement of medical colleges and nursing professionals in TB control programme but the efforts need to be further intensified. Medical Colleges should be involved in training, research and service delivery. Nurses, and other allied professionals because of their patient caring attitude could be very effective in suspect identification and treatment compliance/ completion. DOTS strategy should be included in the teaching curriculum of Medical colleges, nursing and other paramedical courses being adopted by member countries.
The conference noted inadequate primary health care infrastructure, emphasis on curative services, floating population as some of the major problems of urban TB control programme in member countries. The conference recommends that member countries should provide extra inputs to take care of the constraints of urban TB control programme.
The conference is glad to note initiation of collaboration between HIV/ AIDS and TB control programmes in the member countries and recommends more cohesive actions by the two programmes and also to draw strategies to address, Young people, Cross-border and Gender issues.
It is estimated that 50% of all new HIV infection are among young people and that 30% of people living with HIV/AIDS are in the 15-24 years age group, so the importance of focusing young people has been recognized at a global and regional level. The conference notes that focusing the young people is likely to be the most effecting approach in confronting the epidemic.
Participants noted with satisfaction SAARC having signed MoU with WHO, UNAIDS, CIDA, UNDP, UNIFEM and UNICEF. It is recommended that SAARC should also made efforts to sign MoU with International Technical organizations like IUATLD, SIDA etc.
The participants note with concern increased consumption of tobacco amongst the population of SAARC region and recommends gearing of all possible anti-tobacco initiatives including ratifying of FCTC by all Member States.
To reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases, the conference recommends all possible actions including fostering technical partnership with all organizations like WHO, The Union, ALHA (American Lung Health Association) etc involved in the field of lung health.
Keeping in view the fact that the conference provided an excellent platform to experts, researchers, programmers and even planners to discuss various issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS, TB and respiratory diseases and derive future line of action, the conference recommends organizing such event by rotation every 3 years by widening its partnership with various organisations.
All the delegates adopted the recommendations unanimously.
