KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Malaysia will chair the 17th Asean Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM), which begins September 7 in the capital, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced.

In a Facebook post today, the ministry said the five-day meeting, running until September 11, will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel. 

“This time, the focus is on building a health system that is more equitable, resilient and prepared for future challenges. Let us work together to create a healthier Asean for generations to come,” the post read.

Organised by the MOH, the conference reflects the ministry’s pivotal role as a leader in regional health diplomacy, tasked with coordinating policy directions, digital health innovation and health crisis preparedness at the Asean level.

The Ministry said it will carry out extensive information-sharing and promotional coverage, both to keep the local public informed and to demonstrate to international delegates Malaysia’s active commitment to advancing the regional health agenda. 

Held biennially, the AHMM is the primary platform for Asean Health Ministers to discuss regional health issues and strengthen collaboration and coordination across the health sector.

Key outcomes of the meeting include reaching consensus on regional health priorities and finalising a Joint Statement to reinforce health cooperation among Asean member states.

Themed “Healthy Asean: Together Towards Equitable, Future-Ready Health Systems,” the 17th AHMM will feature six side events spotlighting critical health issues and agendas on the Asean stage.

These will cover lung health, rare diseases, eye care, behavioural science, medical devices and pharmaceutical research. — Bernama