Community-led interventions to re-engage people living with HIV into care in Pakistan.

Background: By 2021, Pakistan had an estimated 210 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), and 27% of those initiated into treatment in 2020 had disengaged from care within one year.

Aim: We assessed the effectiveness of an intervention to re-engage PLHIV lost to follow-up into care in Pakistan.

Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2021, the Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV) implemented a search and rescue intervention for PLHIV lost to follow-up in 2 large treatment centres in Pakistan.

Progress in programmatic management of drug-resistant TB, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2018-2023.

Background: Since 2012, WHO has supported countries in scaling up programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (PMDT). We assessed progress and challenges to formulate recommendations for improvement.

Methods: We reviewed the regional Green Light Committee (rGLC)mission reports and analysed data to describe the progression of programme indicators.

2022 TB programme review in Pakistan: strengthening governance, with better patient diagnosis and treatment.

Background: In Pakistan, 84% of healthcare is provided by the private sector. We conducted an epidemiological and programme review for TB to document progress and guide further efforts.

Methods: Surveillance and data systems were assessed before analysing epidemiological data.

Commitment, partnerships and operational research: three priorities for 11 EMR countries to achieve TB elimination.

Background: In 2022, 11 of 22 Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had an estimated TB incidence of <20 cases per 100,000 population. We assessed preparedness for elimination and provided recommendations to pursue the process.

Methods: We surveyed 11 EMR national TB programme managers and collected information on eight TB elimination framework domains using a close-ended data collection tool.

Deployment of COVID-19 vaccine in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 2021-23: How do we switch to a life course approach?

In 2020-2021, all countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR] introduced COVID-19 vaccine with inequalities in coverage across countries. As for 2023, we reviewed subsequent progress in deployment, coverage, acceptance, and integration. As of 31 December 2023, coverage in EMR reached 51% for primary series and 19 % for the first booster, higher in high income countries (77 % and 44 %, respectively) than in upper middle-income countries (49 % and 20 %), Advance Market Commitment [AMC] non-Gavi eligible countries (47 % and 15 %) and AMC Gavi eligible countries (49 % and 16 %).