ACCESS Health International will serve on the WHO SEARO Advisory Committee to the Regional Forum for Primary Health Care-Oriented Health Systems. The forum was launched at the Regional Workshop to Strengthen Primary Health Care in the South-East Asia Region in Bangkok, Thailand on November 28. Representing ACCESS Health at the forum were Regional Director, South Asia, Dr. Krishna Reddy Nallamalla, Deputy Country Director (Technical) Maulik Chokshi, and Director of Communications, Relations, and Partnerships, Dr Uma Aysola.
The Regional PHC Forum will drive action across countries through capturing and facilitating implementation-focused knowledge and experience, strengthened collaboration across development, implementation, and research partners, towards Member State priorities. The forum will also enable joint advocacy for strengthened PHC investment in the Region. Member State priorities and needs will drive the Regional PHC Forum, with partners providing support.
The cohort will work on seven thematic tracks under primary healthcare, ACCESS Health will lead the track on financing. The other tracks include PHC workforces, urban PHC, quality of medical products, community, PHC performance monitoring, and assured services.
Representatives from SE Asia Region Member States, WHO, USAID, UNICEF, Asian Development Bank, Gates Foundation, JHPIEGO, PATH International, ACCESS Health International, and other relevant partner institutions will serve as an Advisory Committee to the Forum. The Advisory Committee will identify thematic areas and leads, as well as support the preparation and content of regular convening of the SEAR PHC Forum. The Advisory Committee will, as relevant, also seek to guide and enable joint research.