Enhancing global health through regional action
Group photo of the key speakers and attendees during the South East Asia (SEA) Regional Forum on Public Health Emergencies.
In collaboration with the AHF Global Public Health Institute, we hosted the South East Asia (SEA) Regional Forum on Public Health Emergencies (PHE). The event brought together experts and leaders across the region to strengthen ASEAN’s preparedness for future pandemics.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Brigadier General Professor Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen (Rtd), Head of our School of Medicine and Health Sciences, emphasised the need for solidarity and political will. “We know that pandemics know no boundaries, and that it is important to be prepared not only as a nation, but as a region.”
In her keynote, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, reflected on her experiences leading the University of Malaya Medical Centre during the COVID-19 outbreak. “One area that we need to do better is in scientific communication and how to counter the fake news that is so prolific, which is really powerful in forming people’s perceptions against vaccines, against treatment.”
Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, during her keynote address.
Speakers from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation and AHF shared perspectives on strengthening cross-border coordination and investing in resilient health systems. Michael Weinstein, President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, likened poor global coordination to “air traffic without controllers”, a reminder of the stakes involved in fragmented responses.
Session 1 of the forum, titled The Regional Landscape: Current Initiatives, Lessons, and Opportunities.
The forum’s discussions highlighted the need for regional collaboration, capacity building, and consistent investment to ensure ASEAN can act swiftly and effectively in future public health crises. It concluded with Professor Elil Renganathan, introducing the PHE Policy Hub, a collaborative platform hosted at the university which will connect policy makers, academic institutions, civil society organisations, private sector and other stakeholders to contribute towards evidence-based policy, cross-sectoral dialogue and other activities in support of ongoing ASEAN efforts.
The forum reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing regional health security and translating lessons from the pandemic into lasting preparedness.