HIV/AIDS and STI
Consultation on the Strengthening of the World Health Organization Network for HIV and Health in the Western Pacific Region
Manila, Philippines, 24 - 26 November 2009
The WHO Western Pacific Regional Office recognized the potential to develop a network of WHO collaborating centres and other key technical partners that are well positioned to provide technical cooperation to assist in responding to the complex demands of increasing global health issues; and interpret the technical contents of WHO's programme on HIV/AIDS. This innovative approach aims to address the shortage of quality, on-going and timely technical assistance in the Region; provide greater synergies between WHO collaborating centres with HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections' expertise and those with general cross-cutting expertise aligned with WHO strategies; generate evidence and create a venue for information exchange; and increase regional applications and impacts of activities.
A consultation with key WHO Collaborating Centres and Technical partners in Manila from 2 to 4 December 2008 was organized to set up the WHO HIV Network on HIV and Health. A follow-up consultative meeting on Strengthening the WHO Network on HIV and Health was held from 24 to 26 November 2009 to operationalize the Network, identify technical support needs of countries and identify mechanisms to provide quality, timely and predictable technical support to countries through the Network.
Despite the progress, there is a continued high burden of HIV in the Region. The regional epidemic is driven by most-at-risk populations (MARPs) and while there is progress, it is insufficient to meet the set targets. A strength of the Network is its multidisciplinary nature and expertise in cross cutting issues, places it well to address regional HIV and health development priorities.
The Network possesses a diverse range of multidisciplinary expertise, with about 18 WHO collaborating centres and technical partners to support Member States in the continued scale-up of interventions for the health sector response to HIV, health systems strengthening and progress towards universal access and the millennium development goals.
The innovation of the ‘WHO Network for HIV and Health in WPR’ has attracted much regional and global interest, and accordingly will be supported by WHO in order to serve as a model for other possible regional initiatives.
Documents:
Meeting Report