About us

         Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Southeast Asia, a region that accounts for nearly half of the global TB burden. Despite major strides in treatment and prevention, persistent barriers — such as underdiagnosis, drug resistance, and inequitable access to diagnostics and medicines — continue to slow progress. In this context, collaboration across borders is no longer optional; it is essential.

        ASEAN4TB — The ASEAN for Tuberculosis Coalition — is a regional initiative founded to accelerate the fight against TB through research, innovation, and collaboration. Launched under the ASEAN Research Collaborative Fund (ARCF) and led by Universitas Indonesia as part of the ASEAN Medical Schools Network (AMSN), the coalition serves as a unified platform for member countries to align efforts, share expertise, and drive evidence-based action against tuberculosis.

       The Coalition embodies the principle of “One Region, One Goal: End TB.” It represents a collective commitment among ASEAN nations to advance scientific discovery, harmonize research standards, and strengthen public health systems in pursuit of a TB-free Southeast Asia. Through its flagship program — the Joint ASEAN TB Research Symposium, to be held in July 2026 at Universitas Indonesia (Salemba Campus) — ASEAN4TB will bring together researchers, policymakers, clinicians, and innovators from across the region to translate knowledge into impactful action. The symposium will also serve as the official launch event for four collaborative research tracks:

• ACHIEVE-TB (ASEAN Collaborative Hub for AI in Tuberculosis): advancing AI-assisted diagnostics and digital innovation.

• CATCH-TB (ASEAN Collaborative Action to Track and Capture Hidden TB): strengthening active case finding and community engagement.

• ANTERA (ASEAN Alliance for Novel TB Treatment Regimens): accelerating clinical research on shorter and more effective TB regimens.

• ACE-TB (ASEAN Coalition for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis): improving diagnosis and management of extrapulmonary TB through regional collaboration.

     Beyond the symposium, ASEAN4TB will continue to foster partnerships through a shared research hub, joint grant development, and ongoing capacity-building activities among AMSN member universities. Each initiative will be guided by ASEAN’s core values — solidarity, mutual support, and evidence-driven policy