THE THIRD ASEAN PLUS THREE SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING ON HEALTH DEVELOPMENT (ASEAN PLUS THREE SOMHD) 29 August 2013, Singapore INTRODUCTION 1. The 3rd ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (ASEAN Plus Three SOMHD) was held on 29 August 2013, Singapore. The Meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, People s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat were also in attendance. The list of delegates appears as Annex 1. AGENDA ITEM 1: OPENING CEREMONY 2. Dr. Derrick Heng, Group Director, Public Health Group, Ministry of Health Singapore welcomed all participants. He then reiterated that this Meeting is very important for take stocking on identified collaborative areas as well as for further improvement of ASEAN Plus Three collaboration. He thanked the previous Co-Chairs, Philippines and Japan for their excellent co - chairmanship in the past year. The full text of his remarks appears as Annex 2. AGENDA ITEM 2: REPORT OF OUTGOING CHAIR AND ELECTION OF CO- CHAIR 3. Philippines and Japan as capacity of outgoing Co-Chairs reported to the Meeting on the progress and achievements of SOMHD under their chairmanship. Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health Philippines, highlighted on progress made for identified ASEAN Plus collaborative areas including Emerging Infectious Diseases such Hand Foot Mouth Disease Workshop in October 2012, Ho Chi Min), traditional medicine, risk communication, and others. His presentation appears as Annex 3 4. Dr Yutaka Horie, Deputy Assistant Minister for International Affairs Japan thanked Philippines for its leadership and chairmanship in the past year. He urged the Meeting to focus on issues relevant to Non Communicable Diseases. Page 1 of 12
5. Subsequently, Philippines handed over the Co-Chairmanship to Singapore, and Japan handed over the Co-Chairmanship to Republic of Korea according to alphabetical order. AGENDA ITEM 3: ADOPTION OF AGENDA 6. Led by the Chair, the Meeting considered the draft provisional agenda and subsequently adopted the proposed agenda as appears as Annex 4. AGENDA ITEM 4: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT 7. The Meeting was held in Plenary. Singapore as the host country informed the Meeting of various arrangements pertaining to the programme of the Meeting. Photo session was conducted. In addition, the Meeting was declared as a smoke free event in line with Policy on ASEAN s Smoke-Free Event for all events sanctioned by the ASEAN Secretariat endorsed by the 11th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in July 2012, Thailand. The copy of Policy on ASEAN s Smoke-Free Events appears as Annex 5. AGENDA ITEM 5: RELEVANT OUTCOMES FROM THE 11TH ASEAN HEALTH MINISTERS MEETING; 5TH ASEAN PLUS THREE MINISTER MEETING (APTHMM); AND OTHER RELEVANT MEETING 5.1: Relevant Outcomes of the 11 th AHMM 5.1.1 Highlights of Joint Statement of 11 th AHMM 8. The Meeting noted ASEAN Secretariat s presentation on the highlights of followup actions for each of the health subsidiary bodies in the Joint Statement of the 11 th AHMM. The presentation and the joint statement appears as Annex 6 and Annex 7 respectively. 5.1.2 Highlights of the 11TH AHMM Meeting/Event 9. The Meeting took note on ASEAN Secretariat s presentation that the 11th AHMM was held back-to-back with the 4th ASEAN China Health Ministers, and the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting in 4-6 July 2013, Phuket, Thailand under the theme : ASEAN Community 2015: Opportunities and Challenges to Health. Thailand is current Chair of Health Ministers Meeting. The 11th AHMM discussed on non-communicable diseases during its retreat session, deliberated on Universal Health Page 2 of 12
Coverage among Plus Three Health Ministers, and issues related to tobacco control during roundtable discussion among ASEAN China Health Ministers. Among others, highlights are as follows: a. Fast tracking of work plans implementation under Strategic Framework on Health Development and roles of SOMHD and Chairs of subsidiary bodies on health; b. Deliberation of Statements/Interventions by Heads of Delegations; c. Issuance of Joint Statements of AHMM, ACHMM, APTHMM; d. Endorsement of Policy on ASEAN s Smoke-Free Event for all events sanctioned by the ASEAN Secretariat; e. Launching of the Publications; and f. Conducting of side Meetings on Malaria; HIV and AIDS; and ASEAN Plus Three FETN. ASEAN Secretariat s presentation appears as Annex 8. 5.2 Outcomes and Follow-up Action from the PrepSOMHD for the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting; and the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting 5.2.1 Overview of relevant matters of the PrepSOMHD for the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting 10. ASEAN Secretariat briefed the Meeting on highlights of PrepSOMHD for the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting with reference to the matrix of the followup from the 5 th A Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting. Among others, key salient points are as follows: a. Philippines and Indonesia will be the chair for ASEAN Plus Three FETN in 2014 and 2015 respectively. This initiative is overseen by the ASEAN Plus Three FETN Steering Committee comprising of members from both ASEAN and Plus Three countries; b. ASEAN Plus Three Laboratories partnership led by Malaysia and issues on commitment by ASEAN plus 3 to sustain this initiative; c. ASEAN Risk Communication Resource Centre and recommendation for plus three to facilitate sustainable output to promote active involvement of ASEAN Plus Three and financial commitment; d. Call for Elimination of Rabies by 2020 as a follow-up from previous 3rd ASEAN Plus Three AHMM; and e. How to strengthen ASEAN Plus Three collaboration. 11. The Meeting noted that all of the abovementioned issues have been elevated to the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting. Report of the PrepSOM 5 th Page 3 of 12
ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting and Matrix of Follow Up appears as Annex 9 and 10 respectively. 5.2.2 Highlights of the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting Joint Statement 5.2.3 Highlights of the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting and Relevant Updates 5.2.3.1 Summary of Statements of AHMM Theme from Plus Three Countries 12. The Meeting noted a briefing provided by ASEAN Secretariat pertinent to the abovementioned events. The briefing reiterated ASEAN Plus Three collaboration on health should to be aligned with ASEAN Strategic Framework on Health Development (2010-2015). It was noted also on ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers commitment in accelerating the progress of UHC in all countries. Among others, the Health Ministers also highlighted their concerns on NCD, and fast track achievement of MDG by 2015. 13. Pertinent documents including Joint Statement, Meeting Report and Matrix of follow up of the abovementioned Meetings appear as Annex 11, Annex 12, and Annex 13. 5.2.3.2 Summary of ASEAN Plus Three Round Table Discussion and Follow up Actions 14. The Meeting was informed that the Universal Health Coverage was discussed at Roundtable Discussion of the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting. The Health Ministers endorsed the direction of moving towards UHC of the ASEAN Plus Three and agreed to support the ASEAN Plus Three UHC Network, taking into account the offer from the chair for Thailand to be the coordinator of the network. Follow-up actions will be updated by Thailand in succeeding agenda. 5.2.3.3 Updates to the Recommendations on Strengthening the Mechanism of ASEAN Plus Three health collaboration 15. The Meeting noted guidance of the 5 th ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting held in July 2012, Phuket, Thailand in strengthening mechanism of ASEAN Plus Three health collaboration. The Meeting emphasized that strengthened mechanism should be done through framework of ASEAN Plus Three collaboration, rather than bilateral collaboration, with the specific recommendations as follows: a. Align collaborative areas with the 10 Work Plans of ASEAN subsidiary bodies on health; Page 4 of 12
b. Emphasize on joint collaborative efforts of the Plus Three as a whole, not an individual country; c. Consider developing more programmatic activities to sustain cooperation in the health sector; and d. Specify the need for further institutional linkages. 16. Based on given directions, led discussion by the ASEAN SOMHD Chair, the Meeting discussed extensively on how to move forward. Key discussed points transpired as follows: a. Japan proposed to include the theme of ageing as one of priority areas of collaboration and emphasized that countries such as China, Japan and Korea will be facing rapid ageing process; b. Philippines proposed to formulate a scorecard to track progress and re-direct directions/ initiatives in timely manner; c. Thailand and Viet Nam suggested focusing on the mechanism for collaboration first, before introducing a scorecard for tracking; d. Viet Nam enquired whether the good collaborative model e.g. ASEAN Plus Three FETN can be extended to other areas; e. China suggested that the Plus Three can provide its support to ASEAN based on their area of expertise, instead of coming together to support the same issues as they also have differing priorities from ASEAN. Philippines agreed with the articulation by China that although one of the Plus Three could be supporting ASEAN on a particular topic that it is still classified as a Plus Three collaboration. Japan is supportive of the suggestion and proposed that Plus 3 should discuss and articulate their common areas of interest. 17. After extensive deliberations, the Meeting agreed with the following points: a. Reaffirmed on recommendations provided by ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers; b. China agreed on the need for more collaboration among Plus Three to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building. However they mentioned that the setting of a structured mechanism firstly requires a lot of funding and creates a rigid collaborative system/ structure. Viet Nam and Philippines agrees with China; c. That collaboration should be collectively Plus 3, however support can be sought from one of the Plus Three countries; d. To continue with existing collaborative areas with additional identified priority areas of collaboration; and e. That the importance of having better coordination among the 3 countries and to leverage of the different individual strengths among the Plus 3 to support ASEAN. Page 5 of 12
5.2.3.4 Updates from Health Subsidiary Bodies Relevant to the Discussion and Outcome of the Meeting 18. The Meeting noted Thailand s presentation regarding the ASEAN Plus Three Universal Health Coverage Network including revised TOR from the 8 th SOMHD. Thailand informed the Meeting the future activities for the ASEAN Plus Three UHC Networking as follows: a. Establish Steering Committee and convene the meeting; b. Thailand as the focal point and coordinator of the network; and c. Develop the action plan of the network and effective mechanisms for implementation. 19. Thailand requested for guidance/inputs on governance structure of the APT- UHC network and its steering committee, establishment of effective secretariat office, mechanisms of knowledge sharing and capacity building in UHC among APT, and potential funding sources. 20. The Meeting has discussed on the abovementioned issues and articulated on the following: a. Viet Nam highlighted the importance of establishment a mechanism of knowledge sharing and capacity building with Plus 3; b. Japan announced they have a new JICA framework for UHC between 10-23 Nov through nation PH training course covering ASIA and Pan Pacific Region. They also plan to have a UHC Flagship course in Tokyo 9-17 December; c. Japan and China applaud Thailand for agreeing to be the coordinator for knowledge sharing and capacity building; and d. Noted the strong support for UHC by ASEAN Plus three. AGENDA ITEM 6: MATTERS ARISING AND FOLLOW UP FROM THE 2 ND ASEAN SOMHD PLUS THREE 21. ASEAN Secretariat briefed the Meeting on issues to be followed-up from the 2 nd ASEAN SOMHD Plus Three Meeting. The Meeting noted that agreements have been followed up by relevant bodies as shown in the Matrix of follow up which appears as Annex 14. The following issue will be further elaborated and followed up in succeeding agendas. a. List of focal points from the Plus Three to be updated to strengthen collaboration and communication; b. Mechanism on strengthening collaboration; and Page 6 of 12
c. Identification of priority areas for collaboration. AGENDA ITEM 7: UPDATES AND IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY AREAS OF COLLABORATION FOR 2013-2015 7.1 Updates from ASEAN 7.1.1 Updates Previous Areas of Collaboration 22. Singapore, 8 th SOMHD presented the updates from identified areas of collaboration as listed below. Lead countries were called upon for any clarifications. a. Emerging infectious Disease (EID): i. ASEAN Plus Three Partnership in Laboratories (APL) ii. ASEAN Plus Three FETN iii. ASEAN Risk Communication Resources Center iv. Animal and Human Health: Focus on Rabies/Call For Elimination of Rabies by 2020 b. Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR); c. Traditional Medicine (TM); d. Non Communicable Diseases; e. HIV and AIDS ASEAN Cities Getting To Zero; f. Maternal and Child Health; and g. ASEAN Plus Three UHC Networking (as a follow up of 5th APTHM). 23. Malaysia also updated the Meeting on the Risk Communication Centre (RCRC) activities to strengthen and enhance their activities. Overseen by the ASEAN Expert Group on Communicable Diseases (AEGCD), this activity is very critical to enhance AMS s capacity for better prepared during the outbreak. Estimated budget for the RCRC is also presented. Malaysia presentation appears as Annex 15. 7.1.2 Proposed Priority and Specific Areas of Collaboration of ASEAN with Plus Three 24. The Chair of SOMHD proposed the following two prongs for ASEAN Plus Three collaboration: a. Maintain on existing collaborative areas including: i. Emerging infectious Disease (EID) [ASEAN Plus Three Partnership in Laboratories (APL), ASEAN Plus Three FETN, ASEAN Risk Communication Resources Center, Animal and Human Health: Focus on Rabies/Call For Elimination of Rabies by 2020] ii. Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR) iii. Traditional Medicine (TM) Page 7 of 12
iv. Non Communicable Diseases v. HIV and AIDS ASEAN Cities Getting To Zero vi. Maternal and Child Health [Exchange Programme]; b. New collaborative areas including i. ASEAN Plus Three UHC Networking and ii. Ageing related issues; 25. The Meeting exchanged their views and some of discussed issues are as follows: a. Indonesia requested response from Plus Three towards ASEAN Cities Getting to Zero concept paper and the Meeting urged lead country to individually follow up; b. Malaysia articulated o the revision made towards APL including the structure, and proposed new activities to focus on regional sharing pathogen on Hand Foot Mouth Diseases, Dengue, and EV 71. Pertinent documents appear as Annex 16; and c. The Meeting agreed that the revised APL TOR as endorsed by the 8th SOMHD will be circulated as to the Plus Three seeking for ad referendum endorsement following the meeting. 7.2 Priority Health Initiatives by Plus Three 26. The Meeting took note on deliberations from Plus Three countries on their proposed areas of collaboration. a. ROK gave a presentation highlighting on a need to establish EID joint responses in order to mitigate impact from EID in the region. In addition, he emphasized that collaboration on non- communicable diseases and promoting health development through health insurance training programme should be enhanced; and b. Japan took turn to update the Meeting focusing on ageing situation and responses in ASEAN Plus Three countries. He reiterated that ageing issue is cut across both non-communicable diseases, UHC, and behavior change. 27. The Meeting took note on an announcement of ASEAN and Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Society (since 2003) from 3-5 December 2013 in Tokyo. The theme for this year s meeting is on active aging and two representatives each from health, welfare and labour sectors from each ASEAN Plus Three countries will be invited. In addition, an announcement of Strategy on Global Health Diplomacy to promoting UHC by the Japanese Prime Minister in June 2013 will pave the way for further promoting UHC within Japan and assisting neighboring countries including ASEAN in attaining UHC; His presentation appears as Annex 17. Page 8 of 12
28. In addition, the Meeting was updated on activities carried out in the previous year and upcoming events include: a. The 10th ASEAN High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Society under the theme of natural disaster management in vulnerable population was held during 23-25 October 2012 participating by AMS; b. Capacity building on various field of EID through NIID; c. JICA Training courses; d. Health Promotion on NCD Training courses; and e. Global Flagship Course on Health System Strengthening and Sustainable Financing will be held in Tokyo from December 9-17, 2013 in partnership with the World Bank Institute (WBI). More details appear as Annex 17. 29. China also updated on existing collaborative activities such as EID including timely sharing information through ASEAN Plus Three EID Website and responses to H7N9. He cited the conference on novel virus which was conducted recently in Beijing as an enabling platform for ASEAN Plus Three to have close collaboration on EID. China also reaffirmed on collaborative areas among Plus Three to include emerging infectious diseases (surveillance system, laboratory surveillance network, FETN), NCD (experience sharing on policy and interventions on targeted NCDs, tobacco control initiatives), traditional medicine (training personnel and education for health professional), UHC, and Ageing related to health. 30. ROK also supported China s proposal on a need for close collaboration on information sharing on EID. 31. The Meeting exchanged views and sought for some clarification as follows: a. Viet Nam proposed that Plus Three provide: i. Training courses on surveillance and response for field epidemiology; ii. Exchange of experience on research related to communicable diseases and; iii. Exchange of experts for laboratory research to build capacity among ASEAN Plus Three Countries; and iv. Consider to have a side meeting on ageing during the next AHMM. b. Thailand supports Japan s proposal on the focus of health issues related to ageing; and c. Noted that focal point for Plus Three was identified by the existing areas of collaboration, however, focal points for new areas are needed. Page 9 of 12
7.3 Identification of Collaboration Activities for 2013-2015 32. Based on deliberations from previous agendas, the Meeting agreed to prioritize the following seven areas to collaborate with Plus Three namely: a. Emerging Infectious Diseases [ APL, FETN, risk communication, rabies, malaria]; b. HIV and AIDs; c. Pandemic preparedness and response; d. Non-communicable diseases; e. Traditional medicine; f. Ageing related to health issues; and g. Universal health coverage. 33. In addition In addition, the Meeting also agreed to share all of endorsed ASEAN Work Plans of related activities to Plus Three to see how to better fit the priority areas, and the list of focal points for updates by Plus Three focal points. Action Lines: ASEAN Secretariat Plus Three SOMHD 34. The Meeting was informed that the following documents in relevant to Plus Three collaborative activities have been recently endorsed by the 8 th SOMHD preceded to this Meeting: a. Revised APL Term of References and Work Plan; b. Revised Work Plan of ASEAN Plus Three FETN; c. Endorsed Rabies Work Plan; and d. Modified Term of References of ASEAN Plus Three Universal Health Coverage Networking. 35. The Meeting requested ASEAN Secretariat to share the above mentioned documents to Plus Three SOMHD for their notation and endorsement through adreferendum. Action Lines: ASEAN Secretariat Plus Three SOMHD Page 10 of 12
AGENDA ITEM 8: PREPARATION FOR THE 6TH ASEAN PLUS THREE HEALTH MINISTERS MEETING; AND PREPARATORY SOM FOR THE 6TH APTHMM IN 2014 36. Viet Nam updated the Meeting on the proposed programme for the aforementioned Meetings to be held on 16-19 September 2013, Ha Noi, Viet Nam as appears as Annex 18. The Meeting discussed and agreed on the proposed theme Better health for ASEAN community beyond 2015 and topics for roundtable discussion to be strengthening primary health care towards UHC. 37. Viet Nam requested the meeting provide additional inputs and comments by end of September 2013, if any. Invitation and other pertinent documents will be sent to Plus Three countries in due course. Action Lines: Viet Nam ASEAN Secretariat AGENDA ITEM 9: OTHER MATTERS 38. There is no other matter discussed in this agenda. AGENDA ITEM 10: DATE AND VENUE OF THE 4TH ASEAN PLUS THREE SOMHD MEETING 39. Thailand updated that the next SOMHD will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting is proposed to be in early June 2014. AGENDA ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE 3RD ASEAN PLUS THREE SOMHD 40. The ASEAN Secretariat, in consultation with the ASEAN Plus Three SOMHD Chairperson, will prepare the draft Report of the 3 rd ASEAN Plus Three SOMHD will be sent for review and comments within 2 weeks. The Meeting will adopt report via ad referendum. AGENDA ITEM 12: CLOSING REMAKRS 41. Singapore thanked the participants for taking time to attend the meeting. He thanked everyone for the productive discussion and look forward to the discussed Page 11 of 12
collaboration as a build up to the next SOMHD. He further thanked AMS, ASEC and the other members for their inputs. He also thanked his co-chair. * * * * * * * Page 12 of 12