SASEA Steering Committee Meeting 2023
The South Asia-Southeast Asia (SASEA) Steering Committee convened its much-anticipated meeting on November 21st and 22nd, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) organized the event in collaboration with Coalition PLUS, bringing together key representatives from regional organizations dedicated to addressing HIV, Hepatitis, and issues affecting key populations (KPs).
Meeting Highlights
The primary focus of the two-day meeting was to enhance collaboration and identify regional priorities for addressing HIV and Hepatitis while strengthening the capacity of member organizations to tackle challenges in their respective countries. Below are some key outcomes from the discussions:
1. Introduction to Coalition PLUS
The meeting began with an overview of Coalition PLUS, presented by its president, Prof. Dr. Mehdi Karkouri. Established in 2008, Coalition PLUS is a global alliance of HIV/AIDS organizations, dedicated to promoting community-based approaches. Currently active in 55 countries, it supports 110 partner organizations and operates under the principle of shared governance.
2. Identifying Regional Issues
During interactive sessions, participants discussed country-specific challenges related to HIV and Hepatitis. These included the lack of HIV awareness in India, delayed testing and healthcare access for the LGBTQI+ community in Malaysia, and the need for more effective Hepatitis B and C screening and vaccination programs in Indonesia.
3. Key Capacity-Building Needs
The meeting also identified capacity-building priorities for the region, such as the need for training healthcare workers on transgender health issues, scaling up HIV prevention strategies like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), and improving community-led monitoring programs in Southeast Asia. These initiatives aim to foster a more inclusive and informed healthcare environment for all key populations.
4. SASEA Action Plan for 2024
A key outcome of the meeting was the development of a comprehensive action plan for 2024. This plan includes:
- Enhancing knowledge about PrEP within drug user communities.
- Implementing new HIV treatment protocols for adolescents and key populations.
- Launching research and capacity-building initiatives focused on transgender healthcare, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and tuberculosis prevention.
The SASEA platform also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, with plans for virtual and face-to-face meetings in 2024 to continue driving progress.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded with participants agreeing on the critical next steps to ensure sustainable progress. Among these steps is the establishment of a unified communication strategy, regular meetings, and the identification of new funding opportunities to support the platform’s work in the region.
The SASEA platform, led by MAC and Coalition PLUS, remains committed to addressing the pressing health challenges faced by communities in South Asia and Southeast Asia. With strengthened collaboration and shared expertise, the platform is well-positioned to advance HIV, Hepatitis, and key population initiatives across the region.
