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ASEAN
New index shows disparity among regions in healthcare access and quality Asia Insurance Review 23rd May 2017
A much anticipated ranking of healthcare quality in 195 countries released last week showed the large inequity of access to good healthcare in regions across the world. Australia was the best performing of the APAC nations at no. 6. Japan just missed top 10, coming in at 11th, but virtually all the countries are in Western Europe, where almost every nation has some form of universal health coverage. The top three nations in the Healthcare Access and Quality Index, published by medical journal The Lancet and said to be the first Index of its kind, were Andorra at no. 1, Iceland and Switzerland. The others rounding up top 10 were Sweden (4th), Norway (5th), Finland (7th), Spain (8th), Netherlands (9th) and Luxembourg (10th).
Private firms fill the healthcare void amid rapid growth in Southeast Asia Southeast Asia Globe Magazine 15th May 2017
Ambulances and emergency services are just one of the major gaps remaining in the region’s public health systems. Although there are vast differences between the quality of healthcare provision in, say, Malaysia and Myanmar, public healthcare is generally deeply underfunded. According to the World Health Organisation, Southeast Asian governments contribute an average of 4% of GDP to healthcare funding, compared to roughly 12% for affluent members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, from New Zealand to Norway and Chile to the Czech Republic. But it’s not just NGOs filling those gaps: private firms are also in on the act. “While much of Southeast Asia’s public healthcare sector struggles with growth and funding issues, the region’s private healthcare market continues to enjoy solid growth, especially in the more developed areas such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand,” international professional services firm Deloitte says in its 2015 Healthcare Outlook report for the region.
Asean to buy vaccines in bulk philstar.com 1st May 2017
The Philippines and nine other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are looking at the possibility of buying in bulk to address the issue on supply inadequacy of affordable vaccines in the region. Zulkifli Ismail, member of the ROTA Council for Malaysia and secretary general of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association, said the lack of supplies and expensive pricing were raised during three-day 6th Asian Vaccine Conference held here from April 27 to 29. “The ASEAN is looking to work for whole procurement of vaccines. The 10 ASEAN countries will have to talk to each other and agree on certain vaccines and buy them in bulk so that prices will decrease,” Ismael told The STAR.
Indonesia
Malaria Remains Endemic in Indonesia Tempo.co 18th May 2017
Thousands of people in the Indonesian provinces of Papua, West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and North Maluku are still at risk for malaria infection. Malaria is a major public health problem in most tropical countries, including Indonesia with five of its provinces remain having high cases of this deadly disease. Hence, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has appealed to the public, especially tourists who want to travel to eastern Indonesia to be wary of transmission of malaria. Based on data from the Ministry of Health, malaria is still endemic in the provinces of Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, and West Papua, because the elimination achievement of this deadly diseases in these five provinces is still zero percent.
Two major Indonesian hospitals attacked in 'ransomware' storm Channel NewsAsia 13th May 2017
At least two of Indonesia's major hospitals have been struck in the "ransomware" cyber attack that infected computers globally, a government official said on Saturday (May 13). Dharmais Hospital and Harapan Kita Hospital in Jakarta are affected by the ransomware, said Semuel Pangerapan, a director general at Indonesia's Communication and Information Ministry. "Efforts to localise the infected server are underway to prevent (the ransomware) from spreading," he said, adding that his ministry was working with other authorities, including the Health Ministry, to solve the problem.
New regulation regarding pharmaceutical and medical devices industries pushes for more local content International Law Office 10th May 2017
As a follow up to the 11th economy policy package stipulated under the Presidential Instruction regarding the Acceleration of the Development of Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industries (6/2016), the minister of health recently issued the Regulation regarding Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industries Development Action Plans (17/2017). Signed by the minister on February 27 2017, Regulation 17/2017 establishes plans for the development of the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.
Laos
U.S. Ambassador Visits Southern Provinces Lao News Agency 17th May 2017
U.S. Ambassador Rena Bitter visited American health and education projects and met with government officials during her trip to Sekong, Salavan, and Champasak Provinces on May 9-10. In Sekong Province, Ambassador Bitter visited Chung Hung Nuea School and Kok Hai School, where she handed over school supplies and enjoyed lunch with the students who receive nutritious meals through the U.S. Government’s McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program implemented by the World Food Programme.
Malaysia
Achieving zero hunger, good health goes hand in hand, Subramaniam says The Malay Mail Online 24th May 2017
To build a better system for health in a sustainable way, our notion of system must go beyond healthcare said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam. Speaking at the 70th World Health Assembly (WHA), he said it requires courageous steps as advocators to communicate the co-benefit of innovative public policy for health. “In those areas that are foreign to us, we might not be able to lead but we must always guide so we can build the illusionary barrier of health and non-health sectors. Indeed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) make clear the case that all sectors are indeed health sectors,” he said during a plenary session of WHA, hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Malaysia launches Health Data Warehouse GovInsider 4th May 2017
The Health Ministry of Malaysia has launched the Malaysian Health Data Warehouse, a repository of health-related data collected from Malaysia’s hospitals. The health data system will start off with health information from approximately 2.5 million patients, from both public and private hospitals. More data will be collected in the second phase of the initiative. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam was quoted by The Star Online as saying that the integrated data centre could help healthcare professionals and caregivers “make more educated decisions” for treatment. “With better analysis, we can provide service and treatment that is evidence-based, and more cost-effective solutions,” Dr Subramaniam said. Security was an “utmost priority” as well, he added.
Health Ministry to launch Malaysian Health Transformation initiative Malay Mail Online 23rd May 2017
Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said throughout the years, Malaysia had benefited from the dichotomous health system. ― Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The Health Ministry plans to launch the Malaysian Health Transformation Initiative which converges public and private health systems together rather than diverge them.
More Malaysians having kidney problems, about 7,000 cases recorded each year NST Online 10th May 2017
The number of Malaysians with kidney problems has been increasing, with 6,000 to 7,000 new cases recorded each year. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the ministry estimated that the number of cases from stage one to stage five had now reached 400,000, including 40,000 of them at stage five and requiring haemodialysis.
Myanmar
Ministry allocated $380 million to anti-AIDS project Frontier Myanmar 23rd May 2017
The Ministry of Health and Sports and donors plan to use US$380 million in a national-level combating project against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to last from 2016 to 2020, according to the ministry. The plan targets groups including homosexual, drug users, sexual workers, and other at-risk groups to be given human rights and protections. The health department spent $15 million in 2016 to purchase ART and related medicines for the treatment of HIV infection. Malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS are the diseases of the utmost priority for the Ministry of Health and Sports to fight against. The Global Fund aided $497 million to contribute to the program until 2020.
UNAIDS lauds launch of new Myanmar HIV strategic plan, calls for more investment Mizzima 17th May 2017
UNAIDS has commended Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) and the Myanmar HIV Technical and Strategy Group on the launch of the third National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2016 to 2020 (NSP III), held at the Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, according to a statement on 17 May. The five-year plan serves as the country’s fast-track strategy to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The NSP III adapts the latest global strategies to the Myanmar context to ensure an effective, cost-efficient and high-impact HIV response.
Opportunity knocks in Myanmar health market HealthInvestor Asia 22nd May 2017
After a visit to Myanmar, Jiadi Yu, principal investment officer at the IFC in Hong Kong, is optimistic about the country’s health market. Myanmar is an exciting place for investors. The new government led by Aung San Suu Kyi is encouraging private sector development and foreign investment. The country is gradually opening itself up for business to the rest of the world. IFC is glad to be part of the process. Since setting up an office in Yangon in 2012, we have focused our investments on building up road and power infrastructure. We are keeping a watchful eye on the health sector – hence my recent visit, where I met several local top tier private healthcare providers.
Philippines
Next miracle drug may come from PH seas, say scientists Philippine Daily Inquirer 24th May 2017
The next miracle drug may come from the country’s seas, scientists here said last week. “There are so many potential drugs which can come from the ocean. This is precisely the next frontier which we feel pharmaceutical drug discovery efforts should look into,” said Dr. Aaron Joseph Villaraza, associate professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Chemistry in Diliman. Speaking at the 39th Luzon session of the National Academy of Science and Technology here on May 16, Villaraza said medicines for pain relief or compounds used for cancer research had been synthesized from marine life found in the Philippines.
PH an ‘underachiever’ in health care The Manila Times 23rd May 2017
The Philippines was described as an “underachiever” in Asia in terms of access to and quality of health care for the treatment of preventable diseases, ranking 120th out of 195 countries reviewed, a study published on Friday said. The Healthcare Access and Quality Index, based on death rates for 32 diseases that can be avoided or effectively treated with proper medical care, also tracked progress in each nation compared to the benchmark year of 1990. A consortium of several hundred doctors around the world conducted the study, which was an extension of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 published by the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet. The study results were published online on Friday, and made available to the public through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Senate hears DoH proposal to amend Cheaper Medicines Law Business World 17th May 2017
The Quality Affordable Medicines proposal being pushed by the DoH is in line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s pronouncements to promote generics and lower medicine prices. Consultations with the DoH and other parties will lead to a draft bill on the amendments. Generics-only prescription aims to ensure that consumers are given affordable choices. On the other hand, the creation of the Drug Price Regulatory Board is expected to lead to the regulation of drug-pricing among manufacturers. Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, in her remarks to the Senate, cited in part new cancer treatments that she said are unaffordable, since they range from P540,000 to P1.94 million
Lawmakers, lawyer oppose Ubial’s appointment to DOH INQUIRER.net 17th May 2017
Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial turned emotional on Wednesday as she faced for the first time her confirmation hearing at the Commission on Appointments (CA). Three sworn oppositions — from Kabayan Partylist Rep. Harry Roque, ACTS OFW Partylist Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III and Atty. Restituto Mendoza— were submitted to the CA’s committee on health to block Ubial’s ad interim appointment. Ubial said that she had earned some “enemies” because of her “strict approach to governance.”
DOH, WHO Launch Cooperation Strategies Toward a Healthy Philippines WHO Western Pacific Region 11th May 2017
Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, along with Dr Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, Secretary of Health of the Philippines, launched the new Philippines–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2017–2022 at the Davao Regional Medical Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte today, jointly committing to the vision of All for Health Towards Health for All. The CCS sets the parameters of collaborative work of WHO and the Government of the Philippines over the next six years to realize the vision of the Philippine Health Agenda.
Philippines Will Purchase Medical Support Ship from Indonesia Tempo.co 11th May 2017
The Philippines Defense Ministry has considered buying a medical support ship from PT PAL Indonesia after it purchased two Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs) from the state-owned shipbuilder. PT PAL Indonesia General Manager of the merchant vessel division Satriyo Bintoro stated Thursday, May 11, that the Philippines had conducted an evaluation of the plan, including finalization of the specifications of the ship.
Singapore
Commentary: Singapore's healthcare success did not come cheap or easy Channel NewsAsia 24th May 2017
Ranking second in the Bloomberg Healthcare Efficiency Index 2016, Singapore is increasingly acknowledged by analysts and commentators around the world for achieving excellent healthcare outcomes at modest costs. The issue of healthcare reform has become ever more contentious, as governments look to rein in spending and limit their fiscal responsibilities. In the face of anxieties over rising healthcare costs, Singapore’s healthcare model has caught their eye, especially its medical savings account scheme, Medisave. Observers see it as a clever mechanism for reducing a government’s fiscal obligations while building households’ capacity to pay for their own healthcare needs.
Formula milk price measures by end of the year The Straits Times 23rd May 2017
A task force has been formed to ensure that key measures to address concerns over the rising prices of formula milk will be put in place by the end of the year, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon said in a Facebook post yesterday. "Our priority is to tighten regulations on labelling and advertising, facilitate imports of more formula milk options, raise public awareness and encourage good practices in our hospitals," he said. Dr Koh, who will be heading the task force, outlined these measures in Parliament on May 8 in response to concerns raised by several MPs.
Singapore Intensifies War on Diabetes With Government-Industry Partnership Scheme AEC News Today 9th May 2017
Singapore’s Minister of State for Health, Chee Hong Tat, has announced a Government-Industry Partnership scheme as part of a multi-pronged ‘war on diabetes’. The strategy follows hot on the heals of him announcing in the Singapore Parliament mid last month that he was “declaring a war on diabetes”. A largely preventable disease, some 400,000 Singaporeans or 10.53 per cent of the population aged between 20 and 79 are believed to be afflicted, with four amputations every day and two in three kidney failure cases attributable to the disease. According to Mr Tat, if left unchecked the number of Singaporeans with diabetes will top one million by the year 2050. Announced at Food Vision Asia, a three-day long food industry event, the Government-Industry Partnership scheme comprises multiple components: Support for companies undertaking healthier product innovation; a supportive regulatory environment to encourage innovation and experimentation; and help for companies using Singapore as a region HQ and launch pad to access other Asian markets.
New guidances issued by MOH for 11 drugs The Straits Times 3rd May 2017
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has published it its first tranche of 11 drug "guidances" to help doctors and patients pick proven drugs to treat their medical conditions, with information on available drug subsidy if any. Of the 11 released on Wednesday (May 3), nine have subsidies which will cost the government millions of dollars a year. The first tranche includes drugs to treat cancer, diabetes and stunted growth in children.
Thailand
MOPH to create more doctors and solve personnel shortage Thai Visa News 22nd May 2017
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has revealed four measures to solve the shortage of doctors, relying on the creation of more personnel to support the increasing demand in the healthcare system, says official. MOPH Permanent-Secretary Sopon Mekthon has said the ministry is working to solve the shortages of healthcare professionals in Thailand by improving its workforce development, which will help improve the country's healthcare system. The MOPH has come up with four measures, namely proper work-shift management according to each hospital's conditions, improved communication, initial support plan for affected persons, and the improvement of the emergency service system by requiring an emergency medicine doctor to be present at all times in emergency rooms.
New law sparks fears over drug price hikes Bangkok Post 19th May 2017
Pharmacists and health advocates have voiced opposition to a law that will cancel a regulation requiring state agencies to buy medical supplies from the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) and also threaten the existence of the GPO. The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) produces and sells medicine at affordable prices and helps stabilise drug prices in the market. Without the GPO, it is believed the retail prices of drugs manufactured by private firms could spiral upwards and the cost of medicine in general would be more expensive. Many doctors and pharmacists believe the new law would drive the GPO out of business and threaten the country's medical security.
Thailand’s national healthcare scheme hits financial trouble TODAY 12th May 2017
Managed by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the UC scheme costs 172 billion baht annually and covers 70 per cent of Thais. It is popular since it enables patients to get treated for certain illnesses for free, bridging the gap between rich and poor in obtaining medical services. But with a rising numbers of patients, an ageing population, rising malpractice insurance and higher costs for drugs, machines and other technology, most state hospitals now spend more than they receive. Last month the Federation of Physicians and Nurses released a table showing 18 state hospitals were suffering deficits. For instance, Pranangklao Hospital had a deficit of 355 million baht, Saraburi Hospital was 322 million baht in the red, and Uttaradit Hospital suffered a deficit to the tune of 277 million baht.
New committee set up to take over buying of special medicines The Nation 12th May 2017
A new committee is being set up to assume responsibility for purchasing special medicines for medical facilities across Thailand after it was ruled that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) was not legally authorised to make procurements. Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said recently that a five-partite committee would be established this year to oversee procurements for the 2018 fiscal year which would start on October 1. “The five-partite committee will comprise representatives from the Public Health Ministry, the NHSO, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), medical school hospitals, and the Defence Ministry (which has run some medical facilities),” the minister said.
Vietnam
Hospitals told to update guidelines Viet Nam News 18th May 2017
Experts have urged hospitals to update their treatment guidelines in obstetrics and pediatrics to help reduce the number of maternal deaths and medical errors. Dr Nguyễn Bá Mỹ Nhi from Từ Dũ Obstetrics Hospital said her hospital periodically updates their own guidelines and also uses those created by the Ministry of Health. Speaking at a conference on the national action plan for maternal, infant and child health held yesterday in HCM City, she said that medical errors in obstetrics leading to maternal mortalities could be due to outdated guidelines and negligence in following the standard steps of patient care. She said that hospitals should not wait for the ministry to update treatment guidelines and should do it themselves, as the process at the ministry level takes too much time.
Health insurance database shared with MoH vietnamnews.vn 18th May 2017
Việt Nam Social Insurance (VSI) has agreed to share with the Ministry of Health (MoH) personal database of more than 24 million households. The move which was confirmed at a signing ceremony held this week with representatives of the two sides, was aimed to improve the country’s heath insurance management as well as boost the entire national health care system. The VSI agreed to hand over of 92 million personal records of such 24 million households to the MoH. The ministry will be responsible for managing, using and securing the database.
Central hospitals still ignore local medicines Viet Nam News 17th May 2017
Half of all medicine used in Việt Nam is locally manufactured, however, it has been largely unused in central hospitals, PhD Trương Quốc Cường, Deputy Minister of Health has said. To increase the rate of local medicine use, doctors could even be required to commit to prescribing domestic products, according to Cường. Speaking at a conference reviewing the campaign ‘Vietnamese People Use Việt Nam’s medicines’ held last Friday, Cường said the use of domestically-produced medicine increased during the four years of the campaign.
Govt boost awareness of dengue fever and Zika prevention vietnamnews.vn 15th May 2017
HCM City Department of Health on Saturday launched a campaign calling on the community to take part in the prevention of dengue fever and Zika as part of ASEAN Dengue Day. At the launching, the department’s head, Nguyễn Tấn Bỉnh, said that the campaign aims to improving awareness of the community in the prevention of the diseases in the city. As of now, many people still fail to destroy mosquitos and their larva at their work and homes, Bỉnh said.
Vietnam has burden of non communicable diseases vietnam.net 15th May 2017
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), usually chronic diseases, are becoming a burden for the society because it causes disabilities and premature deaths. Many of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases are due to unhealthy lifestyle including physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco abuse and can be prevented. Lately, in a meeting about non-communicable disease prevention held in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said chronic diseases are most common causes of deaths in Vietnam. Of every ten deaths, seven are caused by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases.
VN threatened by new strain of bird flu Viet Nam News 12th May 2017
The Prime Minister and ministries of Health and Agriculture and Rural Development are calling for intensive measures to curb the trafficking, trade and consumption of unknown poultry, especially birds smuggled from China, where avian influenza A (H7N9) continues to spread. The Preventive Medicine Department under the health ministry announced Wednesday that the avian influenza A (H7N9) is spreading rapidly south and southeast China, including Yunnan and Guangxi provinces--which both share borders with Việt Nam. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) detected changes of H7N9 virus from low pathogenicity to high pathogenicity in poultry and humans.
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