Vientiane (VNA) – Representatives from ASEAN member states are meeting in Laos, the Chair of ASEAN in 2024, to share scaled-up and intensified national disease prevention, preparedness, detection and response measures.
The 18th ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) is taking place in Vientiane from July 1 to 5, focusing on the pending issues that need to be agreed in the field among ASEAN countries, ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN – China, the Lao Ministry of Health said on July 3.
Rapid growth and changes in ASEAN pose challenges to the member states’ health system, including overpopulation, pollution and environmental health problems. Besides, poverty remains an important determinant for health status, especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups, including those living in remote, isolated, mountainous and island communities or resource-poor areas.
The officials reached consensus on the convening of the ASEAN Health Ministers' conference to outline policies and strategic directions that will enable the region to effectively respond to new developments and possible scenarios. They also laid stress on the significance of international cooperation./.
