ASHA 2026-2030 To Drive Stronger, More Resilient ASEAN Health Systems - Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- ASEAN will strengthen regional health systems, improve access to healthcare and enhance its collective response to emerging health threats under the ASEAN Strategic Health Agenda (ASHA) 2026-2030, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.

He said the five-year roadmap, which sets out common priorities for ASEAN Member States, would focus on narrowing development gaps while building stronger and more resilient health systems across the region.

“The chain of survival is only as strong as its weakest link, strengthening every stage is vital to securing a resilient and healthy region,” he said in a press conference after the launch of ASHA 2026-2030 here, today.

Also present were Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad and health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab.

Dzulkefly, also the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) Chair, said the agenda centred on four core ASEAN Health Clusters: promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing non-communicable diseases; responding to all hazards and emerging public health threats; strengthening health systems and access to healthcare; and ensuring food safety.

He emphasised that Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship had placed strong emphasis on ensuring regional health priorities were translated into concrete action and effective implementation.

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the launch, Dzulkefly said ASHA 2026-2030 represented more than a policy document, describing it as ASEAN’s collective commitment to its more than 600 million people to build a healthier and more resilient region.

He said the agenda was developed through extensive consultations involving senior officials and technical experts from ASEAN Member States, beginning with the Collective Development Meeting and Workshop in April, followed by the Special Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development in May and the 20th Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) in June.

Dzulkefly said achieving the agenda’s targets by 2030 would require unwavering political will and seamless intersectoral collaboration.

“ASEAN must break down silos and build the necessary synergies to ensure that no community in the region is left behind,” he said.

Dzulkefly also highlighted Malaysia’s Lung Health Initiative, which integrates care pathways for tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, supported by nationwide AI-assisted screening to shift healthcare from a reactive “sick-care” approach towards proactive early detection.

“We welcome fellow ASEAN Member States to explore and adapt this model as we collectively work toward stronger, more resilient health systems across our region.”

He said Malaysia also looks forward to the handover of its Rare Diseases Playbook, which is designed as a practical resource to facilitate the sharing of best practices and strengthen regional cooperation.

The playbook will support greater coordination, knowledge sharing and more equitable access to diagnosis, care and treatment for people living with rare diseases across the region.

-- BERNAMA