Author: Communications Team

The SAARC Regional Workshop on Scaling up Activities for Improving Case Finding for TB and HIV/AIDS was held from 12 to 14 October 2026 at the Legend Hotel, Islamabad. The event was jointly organized by the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC), Nepal, and the Common Management Unit (CMU), Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan. The workshop brought together regional experts, program managers, and policymakers to strengthen collaborative efforts in addressing the dual burden of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS across South Asia.

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in technical sessions, strategic discussions, and knowledge‑sharing activities focused on enhancing case detection and improving integrated TB/HIV services. The workshop emphasized innovative approaches, regional cooperation, and harmonization of national strategies with SAARC frameworks. By fostering dialogue and exchanging best practices, the event contributed to building stronger capacities, promoting evidence‑based interventions, and advancing the collective goal of reducing TB and HIV/AIDS in the region.

The Common Management Unit for AIDS, TB & Malaria (CMU) and PNS Hafeez Hospital, Islamabad, have strengthened their collaboration through the establishment of a TB Basic Management Unit (BMU) and the installation of a GeneXpert system at the hospital.

The initiative expands access to TB screening and rapid molecular testing for TB and rifampicin resistance, supporting earlier diagnosis and the timely initiation of appropriate treatment.

The establishment of the BMU and GeneXpert facility further strengthens the hospital’s capacity to identify, diagnose, and manage patients with TB and contributes to broader national TB control efforts in Pakistan.

In line with the commitment of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the vision of the Honourable Minister for an HIV-free Pakistan, efforts are being strengthened to enhance coordination and collective action in the national HIV response.

On 7 October 2026, a planning and coordination meeting was held at the Common Management Unit (CMU) to discuss preparations for World AIDS Day 2026.

The meeting was organized by CMU in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, APLHIV, and WHO, bringing together key stakeholders to coordinate planned activities and align strategies for World AIDS Day.

Discussions focused on effective planning, coordinated action, and strengthening partnerships to enhance public awareness and support the national response to HIV/AIDS.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of collective efforts and strong partnerships in promoting HIV awareness and ensuring coordinated implementation of World AIDS Day activities.

CMU Site Officers  conducted an HIV/AIDS awareness and sensitization session for the ACT International Head Office team.

The session covered key areas including HIV prevention and treatment, referral mechanisms, ART services, and the reduction of stigma and discrimination.

Coordinated with HR Manager, ACT International, the session aimed to strengthen staff capacity for effective engagement, referral, and support of transgender communities, particularly in relation to HIV services, rights, and protection.

CMU Site Officer visited Shifa Rehab Center and Khayaban Rehab to strengthen coordination and referral linkages between rehabilitation centres and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centres for people who inject drugs (PWID) living with HIV.

The visits included staff sensitization on HIV testing, confidentiality, stigma-free services, timely referral, treatment, and counselling.

The rehabilitation centres reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the identification and timely referral of HIV-positive clients to ART Centres to ensure access to appropriate treatment, counselling, and care services.

The Common Management Unit (CMU) team, led by Site Officer and Counselor visited Dareecha Male Health Society, Rawalpindi, to review Lost to Follow-Up (LTFU) cases, identify key challenges, and strengthen the action plan for timely re-linkage of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) to HIV treatment and care services.

The visit also included a refresher session for the Dareecha field team, focusing on strengthening follow-up mechanisms, field-level coordination, and service delivery.

The management of Dareecha Male Health Society reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening efforts for the effective tracing, follow-up, and re-linkage of LTFU clients to HIV treatment and care services.

The Common Management Unit (CMU), in collaboration with MALC, conducted a two-day training on TB Treatment Guidelines for healthcare professionals on 24–25 September 2026 at the EPI Hall, Health Directorate Baltistan.

The training covered key areas including TB treatment guidelines, TB Preventive Treatment (TPT), and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), with special emphasis on pharmacovigilance and patient safety.

The training aimed to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of healthcare professionals in delivering quality TB services and promoting safe and effective patient care.

The Common Management Unit acknowledges the support of the Director Health Services Baltistan and the District Health Officer (DHO) Skardu for facilitating the training.

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Common Management Unit (CMU), convened the Inter-Provincial Coordination Meeting (IPCM) on 15 September 2026, bringing together representatives from Provincial AIDS Control Programmes, development partners, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

The meeting provided a platform to strengthen inter-provincial coordination, review programme progress, and identify priority actions to further enhance Pakistan’s HIV response.

Key areas discussed included viral load testing and viral suppression, including the transition of testing equipment to provincial ownership; expansion of ART centres to improve district-level coverage and access to treatment; improved data sharing and interoperability between CMU and provincial information systems; and strengthening retention and follow-up of people living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly among key populations.

The meeting also emphasized compliance, quality of care, and effective use of programme resources to support sustainable and high-quality HIV services. It reaffirmed the commitment of NACP, provincial programmes, development partners, and CBOs to coordinated action towards an effective, accessible, and sustainable HIV response across Pakistan.

A one-day Pharmacovigilance Training for the Malaria Control Programme was conducted in Peshawar on 17 September 2026 by the CMU Malaria Programme, with participation from approximately 32 district-level focal persons and malaria practitioners from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The training focused on the identification, assessment, and reporting of adverse drug reactions and adverse events, including Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs). Participants also received practical training on MedDRA, VigiFlow, ADR reporting, and WHO-UMC causality assessment.

The session was supported by experts from DRAP’s National Pharmacovigilance Centre. The activity brought together key stakeholders, including the CMU Malaria Programme, IHHN, DRAP, IVC KPK, and Greenstar Social Marketing, strengthening collaboration and practical pharmacovigilance capacity within the Malaria Control Programme.

The training contributes to strengthening Pakistan’s national pharmacovigilance system, particularly malaria pharmacovigilance, and supports national efforts towards achieving WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Level 3 for pharmacovigilance.

The National Launch 2026 of Antenatal Care Insecticide-Treated Nets (ANC-ITNs) was held at the NRSP Regional Office, Hyderabad, under the leadership of National Coordinator, Common Management Unit (CMU), Dr. Zulifkar Gorar, with the participation of representatives from Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs), Sindh, and NRSP. The launch marked the commencement of ANC-ITN distribution to pregnant women as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen malaria prevention and control and improve access to effective preventive interventions.

This special initiative, undertaken under the guidance of the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting pregnant women and other vulnerable populations from malaria through strengthened preventive measures particularly in malaria-affected areas of Sindh.

The National ANC-ITN Launch 2026 represents an important step towards strengthening malaria prevention among pregnant women and contributing to broader efforts to protect maternal and child health, while reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality.