MoH Minister attends 2nd day of 15th ASEAN Health Ministers’ meeting, and related meetings

The second day of the 15th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings took place in Bali, Indonesia, yesterday. The meetings were attended by Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win, together with the Health Ministers and Deputy Health Ministers from the ASEAN countries and dialogue partners, China, South Korea, and Japan.
As the first portion of the morning session, the Union Minister spoke about the importance of the health system for every country, the need to reduce private expenditures in accessing health care for the people, adding that he hoped that South Korea would share its experience with the ASEAN countries on achieving universal health coverage using ICT in a short period. The meeting approved the joint statement of the first ASEAN-South Korea Health Ministers’ Meeting.
In the 9th ASEAN+3 Health Ministers’ Meeting, Union Minister Dr Thet Khaing Win discussed that public health emergencies are frequent and that healthcare resources such as health manpower, medicines and medical equipment, and health budgets are insufficient, adding that it is necessary to make efficient use of limited health resources.
He said Myanmar is cooperating not only with regional countries but also with countries around the world. Efforts were made to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic with the concerted efforts in various sectors related to health. He also highlighted the importance to disseminate information on communicable diseases to ASEAN member countries in response to pandemics and to use health resources efficiently. He said that Myanmar will effectively connect with countries not only in the region but also around the world, taking advantage of future challenges and opportunities to improve public health. The meeting approved the joint statement of the 9th ASEAN+3 Health Ministers’ Meeting.
In 8th ASEAN-China Health Ministers’ Meeting in the afternoon session, Union Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win discussed the establishment of Myanmar Centre for Disease Control with the assistance of the People’s Republic of China for effective control of communicable diseases such as COVID-19, expressing words of thanks for the COVID-19 vaccines and the assistance in the establishment of the centre which will provide scientific information and services to the Ministry of Health as well as other related ministries regarding Myanmar’s communicable disease prevention and control activities. In addition, it will also be able to carry out laboratory tests for pathogens, and to interact with communicable disease control centers in the countries in the region.
He added that the animal pathogens for the current COVID-19 epidemic and future epidemics are being monitored through one health approach, and the rapid dissemination of information, analysis of infectious diseases would reduce the risk of human catastrophe.
Then, the meeting released the joint statement of the 8th ASEAN-China Health Ministers’ Meeting.
In the ASEAN-US Health Ministers’ Meeting attended by health ministers from ASEAN including Myanmar and US Department of Health and Human Services, Union Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win discussed that strengthening the health system plays an important role in public health emergencies. He said Myanmar has made every effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in line with the five-point roadmap of the State Administration Council despite the sabotage acts carried out by terrorist groups to health care staff at vaccination sites. He highlighted that the COVID-19 vaccinations have been carried out to persons with disability, armed ethnic organizations, displaced persons, in addition to the set targeted groups. He added that the vaccination to the children age 12 and above will be conducted in coming weeks.
He said humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management-AHA Centre is being conducted by the government together with the Myanmar Red Cross Society.
Before concluding the meeting, the joint statement of the ASEAN-US Health Ministers’ Meeting was released.—MNA