Health ministers and senior officials from the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region will meet in Dili, Timor-Leste, from September 7 to 10, 2026, for the 79th session of the WHO Regional Committee.
Agenda for the regional meeting
WHO said the agenda includes equitable access to specialised care, faster progress against tuberculosis, stronger health systems and the use of digital health and artificial intelligence. The region is home to nearly two billion people and includes India and ten other member states.
The Regional Committee is WHO’s annual governing meeting for South-East Asia. Member governments use it to review progress, agree priorities and adopt resolutions that guide regional and national work.
Why tuberculosis remains central
South-East Asia carries a large share of the global tuberculosis burden. Drug resistance, delayed diagnosis and treatment interruption continue to complicate elimination efforts. India’s scale means its progress has a major effect on regional outcomes.
Discussions can support shared targets and technical cooperation, but a regional resolution does not automatically change patient services. Implementation depends on national budgets, health workers, diagnostics, medicines and accountable follow-through.
Specialised care and unequal access
Access to cancer treatment, advanced surgery and other specialised services differs sharply between and within countries. Distance, cost and shortages of trained professionals can prevent patients from receiving timely care.
The meeting is expected to consider how referral systems and public health coverage can reduce these gaps while maintaining quality and patient safety.
Digital health and AI
Digital records, telemedicine and AI-assisted tools may help health systems manage large populations. They also create risks involving privacy, biased algorithms, cyberattacks and overreliance on automated recommendations.
Responsible deployment requires clinical validation, clear accountability and protection for patient data. Technology should support health workers rather than substitute unverified software for medical judgement.
Dates confirmed by WHO
WHO’s September 3 release gives meeting dates of September 7–10. Earlier host-country reporting referred to September 7–9, so the latest WHO announcement is the more current schedule.
What to watch
The most important outputs will be the adopted resolutions, measurable commitments and country plans released after the meeting. For India, relevant outcomes may influence tuberculosis control, digital-health standards and cooperation on specialist care across the region.
