8th ASEAN Health Ministers' Meeting, Yangon, Myanmar

21 Jun 2006

By Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health

Venue: Yangon, Myanmar

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

Let me first congratulate the government of Myanmar for the excellent organization of this meeting, and thank them for their warm hospitality.

We are meeting under the appropriate theme of "ASEAN Unity in Health Emergencies". This is timely as ASEAN has had its fair share of health emergencies, particularly in recent times.

Natural and Man-made Disasters

All disasters, whether natural or man-made, lead to health emergencies. In such situations, it is important that we respond expeditiously to deal with the health of the affected and displaced populations so that we can prevent further escalation of suffering. Since our last Meeting, we have experienced the tremendous health impacts caused by the tsunami of 2004 which affected many ASEAN member countries.  It was followed by several acts of terrorism and more recently the earthquake in Yogjakarta. Meanwhile, Mt Merapi in Indonesia and Mt Bulusan in the Philippines threaten to erupt.  The way ASEAN member countries came to each other's aid during these crises has been exemplary.  It has demonstrated the unity and solidarity within ASEAN.

This is in keeping with the Chinese saying "yuan qin bu ru jin": when faced with a crisis, near neighbours can help us better than relatives from afar. We live in the same neighbourhood and we are well-placed to help one another. Moreover, ASEAN member countries are more than just neighbours; we are also friends and relatives as well.

Take the recent earthquake in Yogjakarta as an example.  As soon as the news broke out, many Singaporeans immediately asked how they could help. They came from all sectors, public and private. We quickly mobilized those with the appropriate expertise and skills and were able to arrive in the earthquake-stricken area within a short time of the disaster. I believe they were able to contribute meaningfully to reduce suffering and to restore health.

New Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Besides natural disasters, infectious diseases can also cause health emergencies. In ASEAN, we know that all too well. At our last meeting, we noted the way in which ASEAN solidarity during the SARS crisis enabled us to set the example for the international community in terms of cross-border cooperation to tackle the disease. At our last meeting, we also resolved to gear up for an influenza pandemic.

Two years later, the prospect of the H5N1 avian influenza virus causing an influenza pandemic has become increasingly real. Many ASEAN member countries are on the frontline of the battle against this virus. In order for us to fight this new enemy, we must do 3 things.

First, ASEAN solidarity with member countries helping one another.  Singapore will do its part to help our fellow ASEAN members cope with a possible influenza pandemic.

We have conducted various technical courses in laboratory biosafety, field epidemiology, infection control, emergency preparedness and outbreak response for participants from ASEAN. We have also been supporting our neighbours bilaterally. For example, we have been working with Indonesia to augment its capability to handle avian and human pandemic influenza, including working jointly with Indonesia and the US on a pilot project to control avian influenza in Indonesia's Tangerang municipality.

Second, ASEAN cooperation. During SARS, we rallied together to develop our cooperation framework, including the sharing of information and protocols for the transfer of suspect SARS cases across borders. But we did this only after the SARS virus had hit us. We now have the chance to do all these before we are hit by pandemic influenza. Let us seize the opportunity before we run out of time.

Third, ASEAN transparency. Transparency with prompt and timely sharing of epidemiological information on cases, and openness in sharing what we know about the SARS corona virus proved critical in the battle against SARS.  The same approach should also apply with the H5N1 virus if we are to avoid a major disaster. There are still many areas where there are gaps in our knowledge about the H5N1 virus - control measures, clinical management, and the need for new and effective vaccines and anti-virals, among others. We will all benefit if we chip in to update one another and learn collectively.

In the same spirit, we have much to learn from one another in our domestic flu pandemic preparedness plans.  By now everyone has formulated its own plan.  In some, such plans have been exercised and rehearsed.  The idea of exercises is to learn from the experience so that the plan can be further refined. 

Since we are all facing the same problem, there is value in collective learning.  We certainly should avoid reinventing the wheel.  I therefore see value in ASEAN countries participating in one another's pandemic preparedness exercises.  Participation can take various forms.  We can start by inviting one another as observers to our pandemic exercises.  In due course, we can raise the level of participation to cross-border pandemic exercises. 

In Singapore, we had a recent pandemic exercise in May 2006. We invited several countries as observers.  The observers found their participation useful as the issues facing Singapore are similar to those back in their own countries. We in turn benefited from their comments and suggestions.  Their feedback has helped us to refine our plan.

We have another flu pandemic exercise coming up soon.  We intend to widen the foreign participation, both qualitatively and quantitatively.  In turn, Singapore will be happy to take part in other ASEAN countries' pandemic exercises, if invited.  We hope to benefit from your pandemic preparedness plans. 

The AIDS Pandemic

Let me turn now to another health emergency which has already been with us for a quarter of a century - HIV/AIDS.

Although HIV prevalence in ASEAN is lower than that of Africa, it remains a significant problem with us, inflicting considerable economic, social and human costs on families and communities. It is a pandemic in the true sense of the word, and one that has already hit us. This disease must remain a top priority for all national leaders and for ASEAN.

Singapore will be hosting the 14th Meeting of the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS next month, where delegates will discuss the Third ASEAN Work Programme on HIV. I wish them a productive meeting in advance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, health emergencies cause hardship and challenges to local communities and frequently overwhelm the ability of health authorities to cope by themselves. However, the way ASEAN countries respond to these tragedies brings out the best in our ASEAN partnership and spirit of unity. It gives us hope.