Center for Community Health Research and Development

Strengthening local systems for sustainable HIV and TB responses in Lao PDR Strong community health responses depend not only on technical expertise, but also on the systems that enable local organisations to plan, manage resources, monitor progress and remain accountable. On 2–3 July 2026, the Center for Community Health Research and Development (CCRD) delivered a project management capacity-strengthening workshop in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The workshop brought together 29 representatives from the Community Health and Inclusion Association (CHIAs) and other local organisations. Using practical exercises, team-based problem solving and project simulations, participants worked through three core areas: project governance and implementation management; financial management and internal controls; and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). The emphasis was on applying these systems to day-to-day project delivery, rather than treating them as stand-alone administrative requirements. The workshop also created an opportunity for local organisations to exchange experience and consider how stronger management practices can support more accountable, effective and sustainable community-led health responses. CCRD will continue to provide technical support as participating organisations apply the learning in their work. The activity was conducted under the Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and Tuberculosis project, supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative. #AustralianAid #DFAT #PHR #CCRD #CHIAs #LocallyLedDevelopment #CapacityStrengthening #EndingAIDS #EndingTB #PublicHealth

CCRD, in collaboration with CHIAs and Lighthouse Social Enterprises, successfully hosted a Technical Consultation Workshop in Champasak, Lao PDR, to discuss the adaptation and implementation of the Community - Service Providers Collaborative To Improve The Quality Of HIV/AIDS and TB Services (CPQI) model. This workshop is part of the Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and Tuberculosis, a regional project managed by CCRD and supported by DFAT’s Partnerships for a Healthy Region Initiative. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Lao Ministry of Health (MoH), the Provincial Health Office of Champasak, and community organizations. Participants recognized CPQI as a highly effective approach for enhancing community engagement, service accountability, and the quality of HIV/AIDS and TB interventions. Stakeholders expressed strong support for adapting the model to suit the Lao healthcare context, while also considering Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) aspects. This endorsement marks a significant step toward strengthening health service delivery through inclusive and evidence-based community participation. We look forward to continued collaboration in making CPQI an integral part of healthcare monitoring in Lao PDR. Stay updated as we progress toward implementation! #CCRD #CHIAs #Lighthouse #CPQI #PartnershipForHealth #AIDS #Tuberculosis #DFAT #GEDSI #CommunityHealth #Vietnam #Laos #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth

On April 2nd, 2025, Ms. Hang Pham, Acting Director of the Center for Community Health Research and Development (CCRD), represented CCRD at the Partnership for a Healthy Region (PHR) Annual Partners Meeting, in a significant panel discussion focused on “Supporting locally led development through PHR programs.” The Partnership for a Healthy Region (PHR), funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), plays a pivotal role in empowering local organizations across the Asia-Pacific region to spearhead developmental initiatives in their own communities. Among the notable examples highlighted during the meeting was the "Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and Tuberculosis" project, successfully led by CCRD in collaboration with consortium partners in Vietnam and Lao PDR. This initiative exemplifies how local organizations from neighboring countries can collaboratively tackle shared public health challenges. During the panel, Ms. Hang Pham underscored how CCRD's strategic design of this project enhances the capabilities of community-based organizations, empowering local communities to deliver sustained and inclusive support, particularly to marginalized groups vulnerable to HIV and tuberculosis. At CCRD, we firmly believe that true locally led development involves more than delegation—it requires actively shifting power and resources to local communities. We remain committed to building robust, resilient local organizations that can drive enduring change from within. We extend our sincere appreciation to DFAT for their steadfast support of locally led initiatives and look forward to continuing and deepening our collaboration for a healthier, inclusive, and sustainable future in the region. CCRD is proud to be one of the very few Vietnamese organizations operating at the regional level, actively contributing to cross-border collaboration and shared public health objectives. #DFAT #PHR #CCRD #HIV #TB #locallyleddevelopment

We are pleased to share an update on a successful Training of Trainers (TOT) held from November 5-7 in Champasak, Lao PDR, co-hosted with our valued partners, the Community Health and Inclusion Associations (CHIAs). The training focused on "Training Package on TB, HIV/AIDS health services with Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Integration" This initiative is part of the Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and Tuberculosis, a regional project managed by CCRD and supported by DFAT’s Partnerships for a Healthy Region Initiative. We were honored by the participation of the Director of the Champasak Provincial Health Office, esteemed experts from the CDC and central level, and dedicated health staff from 8 project districts. The workshop successfully enhanced participants' skills in applying GEDSI principles and strengthening M&E for TB and HIV service delivery, with a strong focus on providing friendly, confidential, and effective case management for all. #CCRD #CHIAs #AustralianAid #PartnershipForHealth #EndingAIDS #EndingTB #Tuberculosis #HIV #GEDSI #DFAT #CommunityHealth #Laos #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #ToT https://lnkd.in/ggkbpvMz

🌍 World TB Day 2026 – Champasak, Lao PDR Under the World TB Day campaign, the CHIAs team, together with village health volunteers (VHVs) and local health providers, implemented integrated community activities from 30 March to 3 April across ten villages in Champasak district. These activities, supported by the Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and TB – funded by the Australian Government through DFAT and managed by CCRD, combined community awareness with targeted case finding. From 30–31 March, interactive drama performances delivered by local actors and community groups raised awareness on TB symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, and care, while also addressing stigma and discrimination. Facilitated discussions led by health workers reinforced key messages and encouraged health-seeking behaviors. A total of 367 people received TB and HIV information. On 1 April, hotspot assessments identified priority locations for further interventions. Following this, from 2–3 April, Active Case Finding activities were conducted through mobile outreach services. Health staff, CHIAs outreach staff, VHVs, and local authorities screened 316 individuals for TB, detecting 35 TB cases, while 39 individuals were tested for HIV with no positive cases. Combined HIV and TB screening improves early detection, strengthens timely referral and treatment linkage, and increases the efficiency of community-based outreach services. This phased approach – from awareness to hotspot identification and mobile testing – demonstrates strong linkage between community engagement and case detection. To sustain engagement and amplify key messages, 1–2 short case study videos featuring TB patients, survivors, and health workers are planned to be shared online by 30 April 2026. #DFAT #PHR #CCRD #CHIAs #WorldTBDay #EndTB #GlobalHealth

Bridging the gaps to end TB in Champasak On World TB Day, while the global community unites under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB”, the Intercountry Partnership for Ending AIDS and TB - supported by the Australian Government through DFAT and managed by CCRD in Champasak, Lao PDR - is turning this vision into tangible progress. The project reaches remote communities to address key drivers of TB transmission - including low awareness, stigma, and limited access to services - while strengthening early detection and linkage to care. These efforts are already contributing to measurable improvements, including: ·       Increased awareness of TB symptoms at community level ·       More people accessing testing at earlier stages ·       Strengthened linkages between communities and health facilities ·       Increased participation of women in community-based TB screening Furthermore, the project is helping to reduce barriers faced by the most marginalized, including women in rural areas and LGBTQIA+ communities, contributing to more inclusive and people-centered TB services. Every early detection acts as a break in the cycle of transmission. On World TB Day, the continued efforts of CCRD and its partner - CHIAs in Lao PDR demonstrate that community-centered and locally led approaches can drive meaningful and sustainable progress towards ending TB. #DFAT #PHR #CCRD #CHIAs #WorldTBDay #EndTB #GlobalHealth

📢 Turning Community Evidence into Action: Improving HIV & TB Services in Champasak The Centre for Community Health Research and Development (CCRD), together with our partners in Lao PDR, recently convened a workshop in Champasak Province to disseminate the results from the first round of community-led client and patient feedback collection. The workshop aimed to share community perspectives directly with health facilities and local health authorities to support service improvement. This activity is part of the regional Inter-country Partnership for Ending AIDS and Tuberculosis project, supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) initiative. The workshop created a constructive platform for dialogue between community actors and health providers, enabling stakeholders to review the initial findings from the Community–Health Provider Partnership for Quality Improvement (CPQI) system and jointly identify opportunities to strengthen HIV and TB service delivery. Key objectives of the workshop included: 📊 Sharing evidence from community feedback on client experience, accessibility, and service quality. 🤝 Facilitating dialogue between community representatives and health facilities to identify gaps and practical solutions for service improvement. 🌟 Promoting Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) to ensure services are responsive to the needs of diverse and vulnerable groups. 📚 Sharing lessons from the CPQI approach to strengthen collaboration between communities and the health system. By translating community feedback into concrete actions, this process contributes to building more responsive, inclusive, and higher-quality HIV and TB services in Champasak. This work reflects the continued commitment of CCRD and its partners, with the support of the Australian Government through DFAT, to strengthen community engagement and improve health outcomes across the region. #DFAT #PHR #CCRD #CHIAs #Lighthouse #EndingAIDS #EndingTB #GEDSI #locallyleddevelopment

THÔNG BÁO MỜI THẦU   Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Phát triển Y tế Cộng đồng (CCRD) thực hiện gói thầu chọn các đơn vị Sản xuất tư liệu truyền thông cho Dự án “ Hợp tác nhằm chấm dứt Lao và HIV/AIDS được thực hiện tài trợ từ DFAT tại tỉnh Điên Biên – Việt Nam và Champasak - Lào với gói thầu như sau:   1.  Thiết kế, in ấn và hoàn thiện poster truyền thông; 2.  Xây dựng kịch bản và sản xuất phim tổng kết tại Việt Nam và Lào ; 3.  Lồng ghép các nội dung về GEDSI (Giới, bình đẳng giới, Khuyết tật và Hòa nhập Xã hội) vào các sản phẩm truyền thông.   Chúng tôi kính mời các tổ chức quan tâm đến gói thầu Sản xuất tư liệu truyền thông liên hệ: Chị Bùi Thu Trang Email: thutrang@ccrdvn.org Điện thoại: 0948 828 225 Để nhận được thông tin về gói thầu.   Chúng tôi rất mong nhận được sự quan tâm và hồ sơ thầu tốt nhất của các đơn vị,tổ chức.