May 13, 2026 – Knowledge Cafe

This KC draws on lessons from the Pacific region to highlight how integrated approaches can strengthen NTD programs.

This Knowledge Café aims to facilitate cross-regional learning on how integrated approaches can strengthen the sustainability, efficiency, and political commitment of NTD programmes in the elimination and post-validation phase, drawing on practical experiences from the Pacific region. The specific objectives are to:

· Showcase policy-level integration models: Highlight how integrated programme reviews can catalyse high-level political endorsement and multisectoral governance frameworks, using Indonesia as a case example.

· Demonstrate operational integration in surveillance platforms: Present practical experience from Niue on integrating LF Post-Validation Surveillance (PVS) with WHO STEPS to optimise limited resources and reduce duplication.

· Identify enabling factors and barriers to institutionalising integration: Explore governance, financing, and technical conditions required to embed integration beyond pilot initiatives.

· Promote peer-to-peer exchange among countries approaching elimination milestones and encourage dialogue on adapting integration strategies to diverse epidemiological and health system contexts.

· Contribute to the broader iCHORDS and GLIDE dialogue on sustainable elimination frameworks and position integration as a strategic pathway for maintaining elimination gains and strengthening health system resilience.

Moderator

Achmad Naufal Azhari is an epidemiologist and environmental health specialist, currently serving as Senior Adviser for Policy & Advocacy at GLIDE since July 2025, following a decade with WHO at regional and country levels. He has led NTD elimination efforts, supported policy and guideline development, mobilised resources, and strengthened surveillance and programme delivery, alongside contributions to COVID-19 studies—expertise he now applies to advancing global disease elimination.

Speakers

Dr Adam Craig is a global health systems researcher with 25 years of experience working across Australian, Asian, and Pacific health systems. His research focuses on integration for cost-effective service delivery and leveraging technology to enhance disease detection capablity. He is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Operational Research and Decision Support for Infectious Diseases program.

Dr Ajib Diptyanusa is a medical doctor and specialist in infectious diseases with a PhD in Public Health and advanced training in tropical medicine. He currently serves as Consultant for Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases at the World Health Organization Indonesia, where he provides technical support on malaria and neglected tropical disease (NTD) control and elimination, including programme planning, surveillance strengthening, and policy development.