In the Greater Mekong Subregion, unregulated medicines in the supply chain, including substandard or fake medicines, are fueling resistance to artemisinin combination therapies, the most effective treatment for falciparum malaria.
Health and HRD
Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion aim for Sustainable Development Goals for health. Yet, the subregion still experiences high incidence of communicable diseases and drug-resistant microorganisms. GMS countries also suffer from inefficient health systems due to lack of synergies, economies of scale, and scope; and there are few common solutions to common health problems.
The Working Group on Health Cooperation seeks to address collective action problems of regional health investments and limited resources for health that tend to prioritize national investments.
Related
- Developing a Health Cooperation Strategy for the Greater Mekong Subregion (2018-2022)
- Summary of Proceedings
After more than 20 years, the Working Group on Human Resource Development is being restructured to focus on health, given the strategic importance of regional cooperation in this area.
Human resource development, however, continues to be an important sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion. At an extraordinary meeting of the Working Group on Human Resource Development in Bangkok on 4 July 2017, participants agreed on the following key points:
- Refocus the working group and its approach, given the new strategic direction toward health cooperation.
- Continue to respond to demand for analysis and similar initiatives in higher education at the country level.
- Cooperate with other development partners with expertise on labor and migration.
- Integrate social development across all sectors of the GMS.
- Develop the scope for a new Working Group on Health Cooperation.
Related
- Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2013–2017)
- Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2009-2012)
- Summary of Proceedings
Focal Persons at the Asian Development Bank
- Azusa Sato
Human and Social Development Division,
Southeast Asia Department - Wolfgang Kubitzki
Thailand Resident Mission,
Southeast Asia Department - Hiroko Uchimura Shiroishi
Urban and Social Sectors Division,
East Asia Department
Other Concerned Staff & Consultants
- Pinsuda Alexander
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department - Flordeliza Melendez
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department/GMS Secretariat
Send inquiries to GMS Secretariat.
Japan and the five Southeast Asian countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion adopted the Tokyo Strategy 2018 at the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting in Tokyo on 9 October.
Disruptive technologies, such as Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, have the potential to bring about rapid, self-sustained economic growth for countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Economic zones are growth engines of the Greater Mekong Subregion, stimulating economic activity and creating jobs. Yet, not much attention has been given to the social and health aspects of economic zone development until recently.
Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion recognize how a health impact assessment framework can help ensure that both businesses and communities benefit from economic zone development.
Climate change poses threats to public health in the Greater Mekong Subregion, which is already experiencing hotter weather, longer dry seasons, and changing rainfall patterns.
Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are close to full employment. However, workers in vulnerable jobs are alarmingly high
BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (20 September 2017) — The Asian Development Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a results-based loan of $250 million to help establish a demand-driven technical and vocational education and training system in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Scientists are urgently calling for alternative treatments to a malaria “superbug” that now affects four countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Five countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are receiving additional support to eliminate malaria.