(27 November 2020) — The Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), spearheaded the conduct of the three-day 6th AHC2 Meeting, held via videoconference last 24-26 November 2020. The Philippines was designated as the Chair of the AHC2, with the Republic of Singapore as Vice Chair, after receiving the chairpersonship from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Director Napoleon L. Arevalo of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) immediately assumed his role as the Chair of the meeting. He was supported by the Philippine delegation led by Dr. Leda M. Hernandez of the DPCB, and which consisted of representatives from the Health Emergency Management Bureau, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and the Pharmaceutical Division. The Bureau of International Health Cooperation provided additional administrative and technical support to the Philippine Chair and delegates. Director Maria Soledad Q. Antonio additionally provided the opening remarks on behalf of the Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD)- Philippines.
During this meeting, various ASEAN Member State-led initiatives and support by development partners were discussed. The Philippine-led initiatives that were presented included: development of a work plan and the conduct of a forum and study visits for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, updates on the ASEAN BioDiaspora Virtual Centre, updates on the Feasibility Study on Regional Biobanking, and the capacity building on antimicrobials stewardship and antibiotics utilization surveillance.
Participants also agreed on the preliminary directions for the drafting of the 2021-2025 AHC2 work Programme. Through consensus, AMS also agreed to further ASEAN capacity to handle all hazards and threats, including emerging diseases. At the end of the three-day event, the AMS expressed their appreciation to the Chair and the Vice Chair for a productive meeting, which was ended in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and cooperation.
Photo from the Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Department of Health – Philippines. [left] AHC2 focal points and the ASEAN Secretariat held a three-day meeting of the AHC2 using virtual means. [right] Director Arevalo of the DPCB led the meeting as the Chair of AHC2 (Philippines)