Vietnam to host ASEAN senior officials' meeting on healthcare

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

Health experts from ASEAN countries will attend the 10th senior officials' meeting on health development (SOMHD) and related meetings slated for Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong from September 14-17. 

During the annual meeting, the delegates will discuss priority fields for cooperation and development in the region's health development plan for the 2015-20 period.

A total of 18 priorities will be divided into four main groups, including strengthening of healthy lifestyle; coping with all risks and disease threats; strengthening the medical system and access to healthcare services; and ensuring food safety.

At the event, Vietnam will put forward priorities on issues such as food security (nutrition), ageing population, non-communicable diseases, and community-based medical services, as well as access to healthcare services and migrant health, the health ministry's International Cooperation Department Director Tong Thi Song Huong said at a press conference on September 9.

Participants will also discuss and adopt a mechanism on management and operation of the region's health development plan for the 2015-20 period, along with a strategic plan and overall guidelines to implement the ASEAN health development plan after 2015.

Related meetings include the fifth SOMHD Plus 3 (China, Republic of Korea and Japan) and the fifth SOMHD Plus China.-VNA