SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC) was established in 1992. The Centre started its functioning as SAARC TB Centre in 1994. The Centre had been supporting the National TB Control Programmes of the SAARC Member States. The Thirty–first session of Standing Committee of SAARC held in Dhaka on November 09th – 10th 2005, appreciating the efforts of the Centre on TB/HIV co-infection and other works related to HIV/AIDS discipline and approved the renaming of the Centre as SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC). The Centre, with its efforts and its effective networking has been recognized by the Member States as a Centre contributing significantly for TB and HIV/AIDS control.

History of STAC

The second meeting of the Foreign Ministers of SAARC Member Countries held at Male in July 1984 suggested for formulation of specific projects pertaining to one of the five disease control areas identified by working group of health & population activities. Accordingly, a proposal for establishment of the SAARC TB Centre in Nepal was submitted. The Technical Committee at its eighth meeting held in Colombo from 16 to 18 July 1990 considered the proposal. The Standing Committee at its thirteenth session held at Male from 16 to 17 November 1990 decided that a revised proposal on the regional centre for Tuberculosis be prepared by Nepal. Accordingly SAARC TB Centre (STC) established in 1992 and later renamed as SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC).

Vision

SAARC TB AND HIV/AIDS CENTRE (STAC) BE THE LEADING INSTITUTE TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE SAARC MEMBER STATES TO MAKE THE REGION FREE OF TB AND HIV/AIDS.

Mission

The Mission of the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Centre is to support the efforts of National TB and HIV/AIDS Control Programmes through evidence based policy guidance, coordination and technical support.

Goal

The goal of the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Centre is to minimize the mortality and morbidity due to TB and HIV/AIDS in the Region and to minimize the transmission of both infections until TB and HIV/AIDS cease to be major public health problems in the SAARC Region.

Objectives

The objective of STAC is to work for prevention and control of TB HIV/AIDS in the Region by coordinating the efforts of the National TB Programmes and National HIV/AIDS Programmes of the SAARC Member Countries.