From A 20-Year Journey of Regional Kala-azar Elimination Commitment and Innovation Toward a Healthier South-East Asia through Multi-Disease Elimination Building on the legacy of kala-azar elimination for integrated public health delivery
Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, has long been one of the most devastating neglected tropical diseases in South Asia, with Bangladesh, India, and Nepal carrying nearly 70% of the global disease burden two decades ago.
In 2005, high-level political commitment from these countries led to the launch of the Regional Kala-azar Elimination Initiative. Guided by WHO and supported by donors, research institutions, and development partners, the initiative drove advances in treatment, diagnostics, and vector control, while strengthening cross-border collaboration. As a result, kala-azar cases have fallen by 95% in the last decade, and 98% of endemic areas have reached elimination targets – a historic milestone in global neglected tropical disease control.
This side event marks the 20th anniversary of the Regional Kala-azar Elimination Initiative and provides an opportunity to reflect on two decades of progress. The discussions will focus on key learnings, emerging challenges, opportunities for continued collaboration, and how to adapt the learnings for multi disease elimination in the region.
DNDi is co-hosting the side event in collaboration with the Government of India, Government of Nepal, WHO SEARO and Gates Foundation.
Agenda
Opening remarks and introduction
Time: 18:00
Keynote address
Time: 18:16
| Journey towards the India sub-continent free from kala-azar – the power of regional partnership, lessons learnt and the way forward Nirmal Kumar Ganguly |
Panel discussion: Success factors, lessons learnt and the way forward to accelerate and sustain elimination of kala-azar in South-East Asia
Time: 18:23
Speakers:
- Country representatives (India, Bangladesh, Nepal)
- Representative from DNDi
- Representative from MSF
Keynote address
Time: 18:43
| Regional Multi-Disease Elimination (MDE) Initiative – Opportunities, challenges and the way forward Suman Rijal, Director, Communicable Diseases, WHO-SEARO |
Panel discussion: Accelerating and sustaining elimination of kala-azar through multi-disease elimination approach in South-East Asia
Time: 18:51
Speakers:
- Country representatives (Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand)
- Representative from Gates Foundation
- Representative from PATH
Concluding remarks
Time: 19:26
