On May 22, 2026, at the Souphattra Hotel, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Secretariat organized the Country Dialogue for TB/HIV. The meeting was honorably chaired by Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth,Vice Minister of Health and Chair of the CCM Lao PDR. It was attended by leadership from the Ministry of Health, representatives from various departments, the Center for HIV/AIDS and STIs (CHAS), the National Tuberculosis Center (NTC), relevant centers, central hospitals, and the Vientiane Capital Health Department, alongside development partners, international organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community representatives.
This meeting is of profound importance and urgency for the public health sector of the Lao PDR, particularly for the HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis prevention and control programs. It marks a significant milestone in the collaborative planning process to prioritize activities for both programs in preparation for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) funding proposal, intended for implementation between 2027 and 2029. The financial support from the Global Fund in GC8 will be integrated into the Health and Nutrition Services Access Project (Phase 2), with specific budgets allocated for HIV/AIDS, STIs, and Tuberculosis prevention and control efforts over the next three years.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth emphasized that the core principle of this meeting is “participation and unified consensus” among all stakeholders. He urged all delegates to utilize their experience and evidence-based data to engage in straightforward discussions, identify true priorities, and plan for effective implementation within this funding proposal to ensure maximum benefit and efficiency.
On this occasion, a representative from the CCM Secretariat reported on the timeline for drafting the funding request and expressed gratitude to all participants. It was highlighted that the vital agenda of the day provided a platform for all parties to jointly review past implementation results. This included the Mid-Term Review outcomes from CHAS, NTC, and the Health and Nutrition Services Access Project (Phase 2). Additionally, the meeting aimed to update the National Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and gather feedback and proposed priorities from communities and CSOs—such as the Community Health and Inclusion Association (CHIAs), Promotion for Education and Development Association (PEDA), and Association of People Living with HIV (APL+). The goal is to collaboratively develop an investment priority framework that uniformly aligns with the national strategic plans for HIV/AIDS and TB.
In conclusion, the Chair expressed sincere appreciation to all parties. Special thanks were given to the responsible committees from CHAS, NTCC, the Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC), the Department of Planning and Finance (DPF), the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), the CCM Secretariat, and relevant development partners who joined forces to prepare for this meeting. He concluded by wishing the meeting great success in achieving all its set goals.
