KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Minister of Public Health Pattana Prompat has led the Thai delegation at the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and affirmed Thailand’s support for the ASEAN Strategic Health Agenda 2026–2030. He also called for accelerating the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) by the end of 2026. The Thai delegation included Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Department of Disease Control Director-General Dr. Montien Kanasawat, and Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs Suchada Maktara.
The meeting, held from September 7 to 11 under the theme “Healthy ASEAN: Together Towards Equitable, Future-Ready Health Systems,” launched ASHA 2026–2030 as ASEAN’s five-year public health framework. Maha Sarakham Municipality received a Bronze ASEAN Smoke-free Award, which Dr. Montien accepted on Thailand’s behalf. In his address on “Synergising Health Systems for Resilience, Well-being and Health Security,” the minister stressed the importance of strengthening regional capacity to address cross-border health threats, including emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. He called for interconnected surveillance systems, sustainable financing, and adoption of the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
To advance the region’s five-year strategic agenda, Thailand proposed enhanced cooperation with key dialogue partners. Initiatives include collaboration with China on sustainable health systems and food safety, with South Korea on health data systems and artificial intelligence, with Japan on active aging through the ASEAN Centre for Active Aging and Innovation, and with the United States on emergency readiness, laboratory networks, and medical research. This biennial meeting, chaired this year by Malaysia and attended by 11 member states, will be hosted by Myanmar at its next session. The outcomes will support the implementation of ASHA 2026–2030 across all 11 ASEAN member states. (NNT)
