e-Health BulletinIssue No. 13 | June 2019

Recently adopted and launched the regular conduct of ASEAN Car-Free Day (ACFD) in all countries in the region as an advocacy to encourage individuals,

families and communities to engage in physical activities and harness a culture of healthy lifestyle, thereby contributing to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD).

The proposal for a region wide car-free day was discussed during the retreat of the ASEAN Health Ministers during their biennial meeting on September 2017 in Brunei Darussalam. Some of the ASEAN Member States are already observing car-free days in scheduled in specific cities or areas.

The initiative was one of the recommendations put forward by the ASEAN Health Ministers to reinforce their resolve in promoting healthy lifestyle. The other initiatives included the setting up of an ASEAN Fund for NCD which could be kicked off through a

consultative meeting to explore feasibility, and the promotion of active ageing and mental health.

The proposed initiatives were further explored by the ASEAN Health Cluster 1 on Promoting Healthy Lifestyle and the Senior Officials for Health Development and were subsequently proposed as initial contributions of the ASEAN

Health Cooperation in the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Culture of Prevention (COP) for a Peaceful, Inclusive, Resilient, Healthy and Harmonious Society that was adopted during the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila in November 2017.

Healthy lifestyle – part of an upstream approach

Recognising the need to institutionalise a culture of prevention to address the root

causes of social issues, including deprivation of physical and mental well-being, H.E. Vongthep

Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, stressed that the

COP represents a paradigm shift in our mindset, especially

ASEAN Car-Free Day:to promote a culture of healthy lifestyle

What’s inside?

ASEAN Car-Free Day: to promote a culture of healthy lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Indonesia leads ASEAN Car-Free Day regional launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia join ASEAN Car-Free Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5ASEAN Health Ministers renew commitment for a healthy, caring and sustainable region . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Joint Statements issued during 13th AHMM, 7th APTHMM, 6th ACHMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Press Release – 13th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting and its Related Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11–16

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in enabling ASEAN to comprehensive respond to challenges that hamper sustainable social and human development in our region. It aims to shift the approach upstream in order to strengthen ASEAN resilience. One of the six thrusts of the cross-sectoral and whole-of-ASEAN COP approach is the Culture of Healthy Lifestyle.

The promotion of healthy lifestyle is one of the strategies of the ASEAN Health Cooperation in achieving their vision of a healthy, caring and sustainable ASEAN community as espoused in their ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda (2016-2020). The Agenda articulates the ASEAN Health Cooperation’s mid-term contribution towards the realisation of health and related strategic measures in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025.

Under the umbrella of an implementing and operational body, particularly the ASEAN Health Cluster 1 on Promoting Healthy Lifestyle, regional initiatives have been identified to address common priorities of, including concerns and gaps faced by, ASEAN Member States. These priorities include: prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, reduction of tobacco consumption and harmful use of alcohol; prevention of injuries; promotion of occupational health; promotion of mental health; promotion of healthy and active ageing; and promotion of good nutrition and healthy diet.

NCD: A growing concern in ASEAN and globallyThis is in response to the growing concern of NCD -- mainly heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes – which are now the leading global cause of deaths. According to WHO, NCD, also known as chronic diseases, kill 41 million people

each year or equivalent to 71% of all deaths worldwide. Some 15 million people between the ages of 30 to 69 prematurely die each year due to NCD, and 85% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

The ASEAN region is not spared by NCD, which the UN General Assembly in September 2011 considered as one of the major challenges for development in the 21st Century undermining social and economic development throughout the world. While proportion of NCD deaths in the region is at par with the global picture (71%), the 2017 NCD Progress Monitor Report released by WHO indicated that NCD account for 80%, 76% and 75% of deaths in Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, and Singapore, respectively. Further, while the regional risk of premature deaths due to NCD (20%) is way below the global situation (29%), the Philippines, Indonesia and Lao PDR top the ASEAN Member States with high risk levels (29%, 27% and 26%, respectively).

NCD tend to be long-duration, and their rapid rise may impede poverty reduction efforts in low-income countries. These conditions also threaten progress towards the achievement of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, including the commitment to reduce premature deaths by one third by 2030 and to promote mental health and well-being.

NCD can be prevented or delayed by focusing on so-called ‘best buys’ (low-cost solutions for governments and other stakeholders) and other interventions to reduce the risk factors that lead to overweight, obesity, raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol and ultimately to disease. These risk factors include the use of tobacco, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and harmful use of alcohol.

ASEAN Secretariat and Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA) Poco-Poco Team

Minister of Health, Indonesia, ASEAN Secretary-General, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for ASCC and Ambassadors of ASEAN during the Launching of ASEAN Car-Free Day

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The Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Lead Country of the ASEAN Car-Free Day (ACFD), strongly spearheaded the regional launch of the initiative in the morning of 5

August 2018. Indonesia has been conducting weekly car-free days in Jakarta and identified cities and areas since 2002.

The regional launch in Jakarta was conducted in conjunction with Indonesia’s successful attempt to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Dance Gathering in Time through the Poco-Poco Dance, a popular Indonesian line dance. The attempt fielded at least 65,000 strong volunteers who danced the popular Indonesian poco-poco dance along the 15km stretch from Sudirman and Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, and was graced by the President, Vice President and Ministers of the Government of Indonesia, as well as members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

The Ministry of Health – Indonesia also hosted a media briefing at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs immediately after the GWR attempt. The media briefing was led by the H. E. Prof. Nila Farid Moeloek, Minister of Health of Indonesia, H.E. Sigit Priohutomo, Deputy Minister for Health Improvement Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, and H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and was moderated by the Mr. Acep Sumantri, Director of the Centre for

International Cooperation, MOH Indonesia. The media briefing was participated in by more than 50 representatives from print, online and broadcast media outlets, including bloggers.

Minister Moeloek stressed that the Ministry of Health is very supportive of the Car-Free Days, as these promote activities that are in line with the spirit of Healthy Life Community Movement Programme, or GERMAS. Car-Free Day allow people to perform physical exercises as well as sports activities, and in the process gather families, friends and the community.

Regular physical activities contribute to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle is part of disease prevention programmes which makes our bodies healthier, have more positive thoughts and more able to respond to stress, Prof. Moeloek added.

She also exhorted that launch of the ASEAN Car-Free Day be made significant moment and platform for strong multi-sectoral collaboration in order to promote healthy lifestyle and create a healthy, resilient, inclusive and harmonious society. We will strive for these positive things to become cultures adopted by our society, the people of ASEAN, she further stressed.

For his part, SG Lim lauded the ASEAN Health Cooperation for living up to their commitment and vision towards a healthy ASEAN Community through regional initiatives that address pressing public health concerns, such as the ASEAN Car-

Indonesia leads ASEAN Car-Free Day regional launch

ASEAN Secretary-General, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi (Middle from Right-side) and Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee (Middle from Left-side) with ASEAN Secretariat and Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA) Team for the Poco – Poco Dance

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Free Day. ASEAN Leaders have been deeply concerned that the threat of NCD are increasingly becoming one of the leading causes of deaths in the ASEAN region, and younger people are increasingly affected by premature deaths from NCD leading to loss of productivity and socio-economic consequences, he added.

SG Lim also congratulated the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Health for leading the launch of the

ASEAN Car-Free Day, which also fulfils the commitment of ASEAN Leaders towards a culture of healthy lifestyle as espoused in the ASEAN Declaration on the Culture of Prevention endorsed in Manila in November 2017.

The ASEAN contributed in the GWK attempt through the deployment of a 50-person contingent consisting of volunteer dancers from the ASEAN Medical Students Association (AMSA) and ASEAN Secretariat.

ASEAN Secretary-General and ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General with the Poco-Poco Dancers

ASEAN Secretariat and Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA) Poco-Poco Team

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Launch activities at Bandarku Ceria in Bandar Seri Begawan

In Bandar Seri Begawan, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with other six co-organising Ministries for the BKC – namely Culture, Youth and Sports; Primary Resources and Tourism; Communication; Development; Education, and Home Affairs – organised a mass exercise session followed by a 2.6 km walkathon at the usual ‘Bandarku Ceria’ (BKC) location and ended with an exhibition at the Grandstand.

The activities involved Ministers, Deputy Ministers and officials of other government agencies, including members of the Legislative Council, heads of prominent private sector agencies, as well as high commissioners and officials of from other ASEAN Member States present in Brunei Darussalam.

These activities were also on top of the regular BKC activities which included bicycle rides, educational booths, awareness campaigns, artwork exhibitions, sale of local

foods and beverages, children games, aerobic sessions and other sport activities.

The initiative, which started as one of the activities marking Bandar Seri Begawan’s appointment as ASEAN’s City of Culture 2016-2017, has been continued to: • Promote healthy lifestyle particularly for recreational

exercise• Provide environment for people to exercise without

interruption of traffic• Liven Bandar Seri Begawan as a dynamic and vibrant city• Strengthen family institutions and social networking• Increase opportunities for small medium enterprises and

local traders to conduct their businesses• Help reduce carbon footprint and repurpose the use of

urban areas

The Ministries of Health of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia joined the regional launch of ASEAN Car-Free Day on 5 August 2018 by conducting an array

of physical activities that augmented the regular conduct of car-free Sundays in Bandar Seri Bagawan and car-free mornings in Kuala Lumpur.

Locally known as Bandarku Ceria (BKC) or My Vibrant City, the every-Sunday Car-Free Days in Bandar Seri Begawan

commenced in October 2016, while in Kuala Lumpur the Car-Free Mornings every first and third Sundays of the month started in September 2013.

The Ministries of Health of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia collaborated with various government authorities, local authorities, private sector and civil society organisations in the conduct of various activities simultaneous with the regional launch.

Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia join ASEAN Car-Free Day

Bandarku Ceria Leaflet Advertisement

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Launch activities via Car-Free Mornings in Kuala Lumpur

The simultaneous event in Kuala Lumpur was bannered ‘Declaration of ASEAN Car-Free Day and ‘KL Smoke-Free Zone’, as part of Kuala Lumpur’s Car-Free Mornings which is now on its fifth year.

It was highlighted with a flash mob dance presentation by university students, special presentation from school children with the theme ‘Tobacco Free World’, and flag off of various sports and physical activities such as walking,

jogging, cycling, skating, rollerblading, skateboarding and handcycling along two and five km routes.

Held at the open space in front of the Kuala Lumpur City Council, the event supporting the regional launch included free health promotion and screening for the public, dental screening for smokers, promotion and advocacy of ‘no smoking’ and ‘quit smoking’ clinics, Zumba dance and a lucky draw. The Honourable Minister of Health also issued

The initiative has also extended to other districts in Brunei Darussalam in 2017. In Tutong District, the CFD initiative is called Tutongku Ceria which happens in Pekan Tutong on Sunday morning once every three months. In Kuala Belait,

it is called KBKu Ceria which is held in Seria on a Sunday morning every month. In Temburong, Bandarku Ceria is held on Sunday of certain months.

Bandarku Ceria Community Activities in Brunei Darussalam

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a press statement while the event was covered by social media through Facebook Live.

The KL Car-Free Mornings (www.klcarfreemorning.com) is spearheaded by the Kuala Lumpur City Council together with the Go Green Campaign and supported by various private sector agencies.

Community Activities in KL Car-Free Morning

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Singapore conducts bi-monthly Car-Free Sundays

In the last Sunday in every two months in Singapore, the Civil District and Central Business District, including the Telok Ayer Conservation Area are closed to traffic where

Car-Free Sundays SG are observed.

From 8am to noon, the 5.5km of roads are available where the public can walk, jog, cycle around the area and participate in a range of outdoor activities such as line dancing, hula hoop clinics, floorball and Zumba.

During Car-Free Sunday observation on 29 July, the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth organized the Team Singapore Flag Presentation where the public were provided an opportunity to meet support Singapore athletes

who were bound to Indonesia to complete for the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games on 18 August – 2 September. This was followed by a 5km Nila Walk/Run as well as a series of sporting activities for the whole family.

Launched in 2016, CFS-SG is a community initiative by the Urban Development Authority (URA), National Parks Board (NParks), National Arts Council (NAC), Health Promotion Board (HPB), Sport Singapore (SportSG) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA), supported by a host of community and interest groups to promote the car-lite message and enliven the streets. In 2018, CFS SG (httpp://ura.sg/carfreesundaysg) are observed in the last Sundays of January, March, May, July, October and December.

Community Activities in Car-Free Sundays

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Car-Free Day in Thailand

Thailand has been observing Car-Free Days on an annual basis since 22 September 2000 through the Thai Cycling for Health Association (TCHA), a national

organisation of cycling enthusiasts composed of individuals and families who committed to make cycling as a way to solve local traffic, air pollution and energy consumption problems. Since then, the CFD movement in Thailand has expanded.

In 2017, TCHA cooperated with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport,

national cyclist club networks and universities in Bangkok and other provinces for the conduct of Car-Free Day in 2017 under the theme ‘Safe Cycling and Sustainable Energy Consumption Reduction’ on 16-19 November.

In Bangkok, the event was held at the exhibition zone in front of Central World Plaza which was participated in by more than 500 people. The event in different provinces were estimated to involve more than 20,000 people.

Community Activities in Car-Free Day in Thailand

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The Ministers of Health of ASEAN Member States renewed their commitments for greater cooperation in health development and for more effective

implementation of strategies to address major public health problems in order to achieve the vision of a ‘healthy, caring and sustainable ASEAN Community.

At the culmination of the 13th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held on 6 September 2017 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, the Ministers of Health issued a joint statement (please see page 8) which stressed, among others, the importance of engaging the whole-of-society and emphasising strong and effective multi-sectoral cooperation in promoting better health of the ASEAN peoples.

The Ministers of Health then tasked the ASEAN Senior Officials on Health Development (SOMHD) to develop frameworks, strategic and action plans leading to the implementation of the ASEAN Leaders Declarations on Antimicrobial Resistance: Combating AMR Through One Health Approach, on Disaster Health Management, and on Ending All Forms of Malnutrition, which were adopted during the 31st ASEAN Leaders Summit on 13 November 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The Ministers further tasked SOMHD to engage and cooperate with relevant sectors and pillars of the ASEAN Community, as well as partners in the region, in the formulation, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation, of these plans.

The Ministers of Health also adopted the Work Programmes 2016-2020 of the four ASEAN Health Clusters on Promoting Healthy Lifestyles, on Responding to All Hazards and Emerging Threats, on Strengthening Health Systems

and Access to Care, and on Ensuring Food Safety, which operationalise the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda. The Agenda and Work Programmes encapsulate the mid-term contribution of the ASEAN Health Sector in realising the strategic measures of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025.

Health cooperation with dialogue partners rekindledDuring the week-long event, the ASEAN Health Ministers also met with their counterparts from China, Japan and Republic of Korea, through the Plus Three and Plus China mechanisms, where the progress of cooperation in public health were reviewed, and commitments in agreed areas of interest were reaffirmed. These renewed commitments were captured in joint statements which were agreed by the ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN China Health Ministers Meetings (please see pages 10, and 11 for the joint statements).

The ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers agreed to focus their cooperation in health in 2017-2018 on matters related to universal health coverage, information communication technology for health care, noncommunicable diseases, traditional medicine, active ageing, human resources for health, communicable diseases and emerging health threats, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, food safety and disaster health management. The ASEAN and China Health Ministers also identified e-health and information, communication technology, prevention and control of communicable diseases, public health emergency response mechanism and capacity for health impact of natural disasters as priority areas of cooperation.

ASEAN Health Ministers renew commitment for a healthy, caring and sustainable region

Honourable Health Ministers and Heads of Delegations conducted the traditional handshake the ASEAN way at the start of the 13th AHMM held on 6-7 September 2018 in Brunei Darussalam. In the picture, from left to right are Datin Dr Hjh Maslina Binti Hj Mohsin, Dr Or Vandine, H.E. Prof. Dr. Nila Djuwita Farid Moeloek, H.E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phouthone Muongpak, H.E. Datuk Seri

Dr. S Subramaniam, H.E. YB. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Zulkarnain Bin Haji Hanafi, H.E. Prof. Eng Huot, H.E. Dr. Myint Htwe, H.E. Dr Lilibeth C. David, H.E. Gan Kim Yong, H.E. Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, H.E. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee

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Health Ministers’ Retreat

In addition to the Ministerial Meetings, the week-long event also featured open and closed retreats where the Ministers of Health exchanged views on ‘Strengthening Health Systems’ and ‘Building a Culture of Health Across ASEAN’, respectively. The retreats highlighted the following discussion points:

• Importance of inter-pillar consultations with other ASEAN sectors (such as environment, economic sector, or information sector)

• Leveraging on the Culture of Prevention of the ASCC as a way to drive the health agenda forward (such as Promoting a culture of healthy lifestyles);

• Proposal for an ASEAN Car-Free Day as an entry point for multi-sectoral collaboration;

• Consideration of the harmonisation of regulatory and fiscal policies to prevent NCDs. Interventions may be

country specific, with opportunities to develop regional campaigns, including sharing of common messages and good practices;

• Explore the potential for the establishment of an ASEAN Fund for the Prevention and Control NCDs, working with development partners and banks; and,

• ASEAN needs to lead by example.

The Ministers of Health directed the SOMHD and relevant ASEAN Health Clusters to further explore the retreat outcomes and recommendations. These outcomes reinforce initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle under the purview of ASEAN Health Cluster 1, and that contribute to the operationalisation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Culture of Prevention for a Peaceful, Inclusive, Resilient, Healthy and Harmonious Society, in particular Thrust 5 on Promoting the Culture of Healthy Lifestyle, that was adopted during the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila on 13 November 2017.

Joint Statements issued during 13th AHMM, 7th APTHMM, 6th ACHMM

WE, the Ministers of Health of ASEAN Member States (AMS), representing Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, convened the 13th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) in September 2017 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

RECALLING the ASEAN Leaders’ vision of an ASEAN Community outlined in the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community and the simultaneous endorsement of “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together” containing among others, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, at the 27th ASEAN Summit in November 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

REAFFIRMING the commitment to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” as agreed by leaders at the 70th United Nations Assembly in 2015 which has an overarching health goal to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

FURTHER REAFFIRMING our commitment to the vision of “A Healthy, Caring, and Sustainable ASEAN Community” pledged at the 12th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in September 2014 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam which identified four

clusters on a) promoting healthy lifestyle; b) responding to all hazards and emerging threats; c) strengthening health system and access to care; and d) ensuring food safety, in order to achieve the goals of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda.

UNITED by the common aim to promote a healthy and caring ASEAN Community, where the people achieve maximal health potential through healthy lifestyle, have universal access to quality health care and financial risk protection; have safe food and healthy diet, live in a healthy environment with sustainable inclusive development where health is incorporated in all policies, the 13th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting discussed and exchanged views on preparation, and in response, to future health challenges identified in the new health agenda and agreed to the following resolutions:

1. We agree to strengthen our political commitment to intensify ASEAN cooperation in health development based on a whole-of-society approach with emphasis on strong and effective multi-sectoral collaboration as well as on concrete actions that translate to better health for the ASEAN people.

2. We reiterate our commitment to effective implementation of prevention and control strategies that will enhance our preparedness and response to emerging and re-

JOINT STATEMENT13th ASEAN HEALTH MINISTERS MEETING

6 September 2017, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

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emerging diseases, as agreed upon at the ASEAN Health Ministers’ Special Video Conference on the Threat of Zika Virus in the Region in September 2016, the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers’ Special Video Conference on the Threat of MERS-CoV in the Region in July 2015, and the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Special Meeting on Ebola Preparedness and Response in December 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand; and therefore support the implementation of existing regional initiatives mechanisms, including the ASEAN-EOC Network, the ASEAN Plus Three Field Epidemiology Training Network (APT-FETN), and regional innovation tools that will strengthen ASEAN Member States in enhancing the effectiveness of regional surveillance for and response to infectious diseases and public health emergencies.

3. We renew our commitment to the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on Non- Communicable Diseases in ASEAN adopted by the ASEAN Leaders at the 23rd ASEAN Summit in October 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.

4. We are pleased to note the achievements made by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Health Development in strengthening health cooperation and operationalizing the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda and we therefore endorse the Consolidated Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Health Clusters so as to operationalize the Governance and Implementation Mechanism that will ensure a smooth transfer of mechanism from the “ASEAN Strategic Framework on Health Development for 2010 to 2015” to the “ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda”.

5. We endorse the five-year Health Cluster Work Programmes and Terms of Reference for the four health clusters of a) promoting healthy lifestyle; b) responding to all hazards and emerging threats; c) strengthening health system and access to care; and d) ensuring food safety, which will support the operationalization of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda and we commend the leadership of Indonesia as the Chair of Health Cluster 1, Malaysia as the Chair of Health Cluster 2, Philippines as the Chair of Health Cluster 3 and Thailand as the Chair of Health Cluster 4 in the development of each five-year work programme.

6. In fulfilling the ASEAN Health Sector’s goal in engaging entities and external partners with a view of maximizing outcomes of the ASEAN Health Cooperation towards strengthening the health systems of ASEAN Member States towards achieving good health and well-being of the people in the region, we take note of the progress made in developing the Principles and Mechanisms for the ASEAN Health Sector Engagement with Entities respecting the criteria of engagement with ASEAN.

7. We task the ASEAN Senior Officials on Health Development on the following:

i) Support the cooperation across pillars towards achieving food and nutrition security in the region by integrating nutrition into all relevant ASEAN Sectoral framework and develop a monitoring mechanism to support the delivery and progress of quality nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions and programs towards the eventual achievement of the 2025 global nutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases targets, the Second International Conference on Nutrition Rome Declaration and Framework for Action, and Sustainable Development Goals 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture) and other SDGs relevant to nutrition, in line with the proposed ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Ending All Forms of Malnutrition.

ii) Develop an ASEAN Strategic Plan to Combat Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) which focuses on key priority areas outlined in the proposed ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR): Combatting Anti- Microbial Resistance (AMR) through One Health Approach; engage other sectors beyond human health, in the implementation and operationalization of the Strategic Plan; and monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

iii) Develop and support an effective collaboration mechanism for disaster health management in line with ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and the proposed ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Disaster Health Management and initiate a forum to promote regular dialogues among relevant ASEAN sectors and stakeholders.

iv) Monitor the implementation of the five-year Health Cluster Work Programmes for the four health clusters.

8. We recognize and appreciate the contribution by, and further commit to collaborate closely with, development partners, including the World Health Organization, the development banks, bilateral development partners, civil society organizations and private sectors, respecting the criteria of engagement with ASEAN.

We look forward to further exchanges of views and collaboration in health development at our next Meeting in Cambodia in 2019.

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1. WE, the Ministers of Health of ASEAN Member States (AMS), representing Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministers of Health of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea convened the 7th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting (APTHMM) in September 2017 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

2. We agree that our health development collaboration shall align with the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda with specific focus on collaborative areas that include common issues of concern such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ICT for healthcare, non-communicable diseases, traditional and complementary medicine, active ageing, human resources for health, responding to communicable and emerging health threats and food safety, as well as issues recently highlighted such as Antimicrobial Resistance, Ending All Forms of Malnutrition and Disaster Health Management.

3. We acknowledge the importance of the role of social, behavioral, and physical contributors to health whereby health is not just limited to a simple biological model of the treatment of illnesses. Improving health, therefore, requires a continuum of interventions from preconception to ageing, with seamless engagement of multi- sectoral stakeholders focusing on issues that include financial and organisational coordination, supportive national and local policies, and adequate resources so as to achieve the best health outcomes and ensure high quality of life throughout the life course.

4. We agree to strengthen our joint efforts in advocating, facilitating and implementing relevant social and economic interventions in addressing non-communicable diseases and their risk factors including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet, as well as sedentary lifestyle.

5. We commit to the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health 2016- 2020 which was adopted at the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2016 which calls for commitment to action on healthy ageing in every country and develop multisectoral initiatives that support the development of age-friendly environments; alignment of health systems focusing on primary health care to the needs of older populations; development of sustainable and equitable systems for providing long-term care (home, communities, institutions); and improvement in the measurement, monitoring, and research on healthy ageing. In this regard, we recognize

the importance of encouraging community-based integrated care and functional recovery care of elderly people including human resource development.

6. We reaffirm our commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development towards achieving Universal Health Coverage which includes financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. We therefore task the ASEAN Plus Three SOMHD to accelerate the progress towards UHC in all countries by building up the national and regional capacity to assess and manage the equitable, efficient, resilient and sustainable health systems to support UHC, jointly with development partners including the activities under the ASEAN Plus Three UHC Network, and any other relevant initiatives including high- level advocacy, where appropriate. We commit to collectively advance the issue of UHC to the highest regional and global forum, including the United Nations General Assembly. We also note Japan’s efforts to develop the ASEAN-Japan UHC Initiative.

7. We take note of the existing ASEAN Plus Three health cooperation in the prevention and control of communicable and emerging infectious diseases and commit to further strengthen the cooperation towards reducing the impact of these diseases; as well as improving our emergency preparedness and risk reduction against infectious disease outbreaks and other health threats, including disasters.

8. We acknowledge the potential health activities to be undertaken under the ASEAN Plus Three and therefore urge ASEAN Plus Three SOMHD to consider initiatives that are identified as regional in nature to be incorporated in the Work Programmes of the ASEAN Health Clusters, in line with ASEAN Cooperation Projects mechanism that has a proposal and approval process facilitated by the ASEAN Secretariat.

9. We recognize and appreciate the contribution by, and further commit to collaborate closely with development partners, including the World Health Organization, the development banks, bilateral development partners, civil society organizations and private sectors, respecting the criteria of engagement with ASEAN.

We look forward to further exchanges of views and collaboration in health development at our next Meeting in Cambodia in 2019.

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JOINT STATEMENT7th ASEAN PLUS THREE HEALTH MINISTERS MEETING

7 September 2017, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

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JOINT STATEMENT6th ASEAN-CHINA HEALTH MINISTERS MEETING

7 September 2017, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

WE, the Ministers of Health of ASEAN Member States (AMS), representing Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Minister of Health of the People’s Republic of China convened the 6th ASEAN-China Health Ministers Meeting (ACHMM) in September 2017 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

1. We fully support the inclusion of Health Promotion and eHealth/ICT as new priority areas under the ASEAN-China health cooperation for 2017-2018, adding on the existing priority areas, namely: Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases; Public Health Emergency Response; Ensuring Food Safety and Rapid Alert System; Strengthen Human Resource Development for Health; and Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

2. We discuss the value and implications of the use of technology in healthcare and acknowledge the connected health approach (also known as technology-enabled care, TEC) that involves the convergence of health technology, digital media and mobile devices which enables patients, carers and healthcare professionals to access data and information more easily and improve the quality and outcomes of both health and social care. We, thus, welcome the sharing of experiences and best practices in the region towards supporting the implementation of cost-effective

connected health approach to priority health initiatives such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Disaster Health Management.

3. We support the implementation of activities under Food Safety and Rapid Alert System, particularly in addressing concerns on food safety standards and strengthening risk assessment, as well as, in improving emergency response systems to food safety incidents, and food outbreaks.

4. We welcome the initiative on Strengthening Quality of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) through the operationalization of project activities under Work Programme of the ASEAN Health Cluster 3 in order to develop T&CM practice guidelines and standardize as well as ensure T&CM product quality control.

5. We recognize and appreciate the contribution by, and further commit to collaborate closely with development partners, including the World Health Organization, the development banks, bilateral development partners, civil society organizations and private sectors, respecting the criteria of engagement with ASEAN.

6. We look forward to further exchanges of views and collaboration in health development at our next Meeting in Cambodia in 2019.

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Health for vulnerable, NCD forums kick-start 13th AHMM and Related Meetings

The ASEAN strives to provide universal health coverage to all people and would address the needs and concerns of vulnerable population guided by a rights-based approach. These were the foci of the two simultaneous side events held on 6 September 2017, as prelude to the 13th AHMM and Related Meetings that took place on 7-8 September 2017 at the International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

In his keynote speech at the start of the side event on ‘Addressing the Health of Vulnerable Population for an Inclusive ASEAN Community’, H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) said “crucial to the realization of the overarching goals of the ASEAN Community 2025 is the move towards a more inclusive ASEAN Community that promotes an improved quality of life, addresses barriers to the enjoyment of equitable access to opportunities by ASEAN peoples, and that promotes and protects human rights.”

The side event, which was organised by Thailand, highlighted the health needs of vulnerable populations in ASEAN. Participants shared experiences, challenges

and best practices on how to address them with a view to achieving the goals and objectives of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda. Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand shared experiences in the implementation of health initiatives for migrants and stateless populations through universal health coverage, disaster-affected populations, ageing population, victims of trafficking in persons, among others.

The event also underscored the global aspiration of ‘leaving no one behind’ and important instruments to protect the vulnerable populations in ASEAN, including the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection, ASCC initiative on promoting the Culture of Prevention. Since challenges remain in many areas, such as language barriers, geographic challenges, legislation housing issue, space, manpower, innovation, the health sector needs to work more closely with all relevant sectors to tackle these challenges so as to forge ahead together and leave no one behind.

The other side event on “Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control: Together Towards a One Healthy

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ASEAN,” discussed the burden of NCD as well as experiences and good practices in tackling NCD shared by Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Organised by Philippines, the event was a follow up of the side event at the 70th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 26 May 2017 that focused on the Role of Regional Cooperation in the Regulatory Reforms for NCD Prevention and Control.

The side event discussed that an ASEAN-wide approach to NCD prevention through harmonized policies on regulations and fiscal measures can leverage on the large market of the

ASEAN as an economic block, that might spare individual countries, especially the smaller markets from difficult policy maneuvers. Participants also noted that advocacy and behavior change interventions might be more context and culture specific, but it may be possible to develop regional campaigns around respect for mutual regulations, for example on warning labels (red, yellow, green) on food products, or a floor for cigarette prices.

To get the attention of policy-makers, it was also suggested that linkage or collaboration with other institutional arrangements of the ASEAN such as the ASEAN Food

Panelist at the side-event of 13th AHMM – Addressing the Health of Vulnerable Population for an Inclusive ASEAN Community

Participants and Panelist at the side-event of 13th AHMM – Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention and Control: Together Towards One Healthy ASEAN

ASEAN @ASEAN www.asean.orgASEAN

ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities for All

Participants and Panelist at the side-event of 13th AHMM – Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention and Control: Together Towards One Healthy ASEAN

ASEAN e-Health Bulletin is produced semi-annually by the ASEAN Secretariat · 70A Jl. Sisingamangaraja · Jakarta 12110 · Indonesia | Tel : (6221) 7262991, 7243372 · Fax : (6221) 7398234, 7243504

Coordinator: Health Division of the ASEAN SecretariatEditor and Focal Point: Department of Health, Philippines

Note: The articles were contributed by the focal point from each of the ASEAN health subsidiary bodies.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta,

Indonesia. General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

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Safety Network or other bodies, should establish the regulatory or fiscal measures in relation to their economic impact. Participants also opined that a financing mechanism for NCDs may be needed by the ASEAN, as well as a platform for sharing good practices to sustain discussions and to avail of the rich lessons learned from countries of the ASEAN who are working on similar initiatives.

Participants also recommended the following: [a] conduct of a situation analysis of labeling of food products in the

ASEAN and to move for adoption of “respect for mutual regulation” using a system of warnings on food products; [b] development of a process to bring NCD regulations higher on the agenda of the ASEAN heads of state as an economic threat to development; and [c] further raising the issue of NCD regulatory and fiscal policy framework and priorities to the Regional Committees of the World Health Organization in South East Asia and the Western Pacific.