Message from the Advisor

Tuberculosis remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Southeast Asia. Despite notable progress, our region continues to face complex issues — from unequal access to diagnosis and treatment to limited research capacity and innovation at the regional level.

The ASEAN4TB Coalition stands as a tangible manifestation of ASEAN’s collaborative spirit, bringing together countries, institutions, and experts to strengthen research, innovation, and evidence-based policy. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of a healthy, resilient, and globally competitive ASEAN. Through symposiums, training, and collaborative research, ASEAN4TB aims to serve as a driving force in accelerating TB elimination across the region.

As both an academic and a clinician, I firmly believe that public health progress can only be achieved through synergy — among governments, educational institutions, international organizations, and the research community. With strong cooperation and sustained commitment, we can build a more equitable and robust regional health system.

I hope ASEAN4TB will become a platform that nurtures new ideas, empowers young researchers, and fosters solidarity among ASEAN nations as we work together toward a TB-free future. Thank you!

Prof. Dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, SpPD-KGEH, MMB

Advisor, ASEAN4TB Consortium

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (2017-2021 and 2021-2025 period)

Message from the Advisor

Tuberculosis remains a serious global public health challenge and continues to place a substantial burden on the ASEAN region. Despite ongoing progress, TB persists as a major threat that demands stronger regional cooperation, sustained innovation, and collective commitment to evidence-based action.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the ASEAN for Tuberculosis (ASEAN4TB) Consortium. This consortium serves as a regional platform that brings together institutions, researchers, and stakeholders across ASEAN to work collaboratively toward accelerating TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.

As a Director of Respiratory Programmatic Implementation and Research Institute (RPRI) and Pulmonologist focusing on tuberculosis, I, Erlina Burhan, fully support the establishment and advancement of ASEAN4TB. I believe this initiative has strong potential to align regional efforts, strengthen research capacity, and translate scientific evidence into meaningful public health impact.

We cordially invite funders, industry partners, NGOs, and researchers to join the ASEAN4TB Consortium as strategic collaborators in advancing innovation, strengthening regional collaboration, and accelerating impactful solutions for tuberculosis across the ASEAN region.

My hope is that ASEAN4TB will further strengthen ASEAN collaboration, foster innovation, nurture the next generation of TB researchers, and ultimately contribute to the realization of an ASEAN free from tuberculosis.

Prof. Dr. dr. Erlina Burhan, MSc, SpP (K)

Director of Respiratory Programmatic Implementation and Research Institute (RPRI)

Advisor, ASEAN4TB Consortium