[BCCM]Draft minutes of GC8 country dialogue Workshop (held on 2 May 2026 )
Dr.Md.Fakhrul Abedin Bhuiyan
May I kindly request you to review the document and share any corrections, comments, or suggestions and feedback will be very much appreciated by 12 May 2026
Your valuable feedback will help finalize the meeting minutes accurately.
Thank you very much for your cooperation and participation.
Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Ansari Bhaban (4th Floor), 14/2 Topkhana Road, Dhaka.
M: +88-01923826240 | Email: bccm.overs...@gmail.com
Dr Mashuqur Rahman
biraj ahmed
Dear Fakhrul Bhai,
Greetings!
Thank you sincerely for your hard work and for sharing the draft country dialogue workshop report with us.
I have reviewed the report carefully and noticed that some important information from my presentation is missing. Adding those points would make the report more complete and help readers better understand the discussion and key messages on behalf of MSM and TG/ Hijra constituency.
Thank you again for your effort and support.
Note:
Here are the speaker notes for my presentation for your report preparation convenience.
Good morning/afternoon everyone.
We would like to sincerely thank the Global Fund for its continued support to Bangladesh in strengthening the HIV response.
Today, we are presenting the key findings and recommendations gathered through consultations with MSM and TG/Hijra communities.
These insights highlight the importance of a community-led and rights-based approach to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care services in Bangladesh.
Slide 1: Executive Summary
The consultation findings show that Bangladesh still remains a low HIV prevalence country.
However, infections are increasing among key populations, especially young MSM and TG communities.
Major barriers continue to include stigma and discrimination, limited access to ART and PrEP, and weak community systems.
A rights-based and community-led response is essential, and GC8 investments will play a critical role in increasing impact and sustainability.
Slide 2: Epidemiological Context
Although Bangladesh has a low overall HIV prevalence, the epidemic is increasingly concentrated among key populations.
Young MSM and TG individuals are becoming more vulnerable and disproportionately affected.
This trend highlights important gaps in prevention services, early testing, and youth-friendly healthcare support.
Strengthening targeted interventions is now more important than ever.
Slide 3: Problem Statement
Prevention coverage and access to PrEP remain limited, while ART services are still centralized and not fully youth-friendly.
Stigma and discrimination continue to restrict access to healthcare services.
As a result, many people are diagnosed late, treatment continuity is interrupted, and national HIV targets remain difficult to achieve.
Addressing these structural barriers is essential for improving outcomes.
Slide 4: Key Finding 1 – Gaps in ART
ART services are limited and mainly concentrated in urban areas.
Service interruptions and the absence of flexible delivery models create additional challenges for communities.
Young MSM and TG individuals often delay treatment initiation or struggle with adherence because of stigma and fear of disclosure.
We recommend decentralized ART services, community refill systems, and stronger peer-support models to improve treatment access and retention.
Slide 5: Key Finding 2 – Prevention and PrEP
PrEP programs are still limited in scale, and prevention commodities are not consistently available.
Young and hidden MSM networks are not being adequately reached through existing interventions.
Expanding PrEP access, strengthening peer-led and digital outreach, and investing in youth-centered prevention approaches are critical priorities moving forward.
Slide 6: Key Finding 3 – Human Rights and Stigma
Community members reported experiences of service denial, breaches of confidentiality, and mistreatment within healthcare settings.
These experiences discourage individuals from seeking HIV testing and treatment services.
To ensure stigma-free and rights-based healthcare, we need healthcare worker training, legal awareness initiatives, and safe spaces for key populations.
Slide 7: Key Finding 4 – Community Systems
Leadership and participation of MSM and TG communities in program design and implementation remain limited.
Community-led monitoring systems are also weak, and mental health services are insufficient.
Strengthening community-led organizations, improving monitoring systems, and expanding psychosocial and mental health support are essential for a stronger HIV response.
Slide 8: Strategic Response
Our proposed strategy aligns closely with the GC8 modules and priorities.
The focus is on expanding prevention and PrEP services, decentralizing treatment, and ensuring rights-based service delivery.
At the same time, strengthening community systems and integrating HIV services into the broader public health system will support long-term sustainability.
Slide 9: Investment Priorities
Key investments should prioritize prevention, treatment access, human rights, and community systems for young MSM and TG populations.
Additional investment is also needed for mental health and psychosocial support services.
These investments will help improve equity, increase service uptake, and strengthen long-term program effectiveness.
Slide 10: Transition and Sustainability
Ensuring sustainability requires strong system preparedness and meaningful community engagement.
Increased domestic financing, particularly from government budgets, will be essential in the future.
Close collaboration between government and NGOs is critical to maintain long-term progress and ensure continuity of HIV services.
Slide 11: Conclusion
The HIV epidemic in Bangladesh is increasingly shifting toward young MSM and TG communities.
Community-led and rights-based approaches remain the key to effective HIV control and improved health outcomes.
With continued GC8 support and sustainable financing, we can ensure greater equity, dignity, and better outcomes for all affected communities.
Hope, it will help you accordingly.
Kind regards,
Md. Masbah U Ahmed Biraj
Elected Alt member -BCCM,
Member - National Gender Cluster under UNFPA,
Coordinator, CBO- Bangladesh
Shahed Ibne Obaed
H. Munna
Dear Sir,
Greetings.
Please find attached the feedback and suggested inputs from the PLHIV Community regarding the “[BCCM] Draft Minutes of GC8 Country Dialogue Workshop (held on 2 May 2026).”
Although this response is being shared a little later than expected, we kindly request you to consider the key recommendations and concerns raised by the PLHIV community and community-based organizations (CBOs), particularly regarding meaningful community engagement, transition readiness, treatment continuity, stigma-free services, mental health support, and sustainability of community systems within the GC8 process.
We believe these inputs will further strengthen the quality, inclusiveness, and community responsiveness of the final document and future GC8 planning.
Thank you very much for your consideration and continued collaboration.
Best regards,
Md. Hafizuddin Munna
General Secretary & Member, BCCM
PLHIV Network (PN+)
Bangladesh
Umme Tasnim Maliha
Dear Dr. Fakhrul Vaai,
Sorry for the delayed feedback and thank you for the very brief and well-articulated summary of the meeting.
Could you please consider adding the following information to the section below mentioned by Director NIDCH sir (2nd para) to better reflect the current scenario?
“He emphasized that NIDCH serves as the country’s referral center for TB patients, including MDR and XDR-TB cases, with dedicated inpatient facilities such as the MDR ward. He informed that, at present, NTRL is conducting GeneXpert and Xpert XDR tests, but Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) is not being performed, which limits comprehensive diagnostic capacity.”
Suggested addition in the last line mentioned by sir in his speech:
“Currently, Culture DST is being performed at the 250 Bed TB Hospital, Shyamoli and specimens from NIDCH are transported there, which itself remains challenging. This situation is mainly due to the infrastructure limitations of the current NTRL and the non-functional BSL-2 laboratory.”
I believe this addition will help present the operational reality more accurately.
TB Lab & Infection Control Expert