Events

Third Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation (WGHC-3)




Officials from the health ministries of the Cambodia, People’s Republic China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam; other sectoral ministries and agencies in the GMS; development partners; aid agencies; NGOs; and CSOs participated in in the 3rd meeting of the GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation (WGHC-3) held on 12-13 December 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the meeting was “Advancing Health Partnerships in the GMS”. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand.

The main objective of the meeting was to strengthen regional and country health systems through the effective implementation of the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy. There were interactive discussions on key issues including the necessity to integrate migrant health in the Universal Health Coverage, how to prepare the GMS for potential pandemics, the integration of health in other GMS sectoral interventions (particularly in infrastructure investments), use of digital health solutions, and exploring existing models of innovative health financing. The discussions looked in to the role of regional health partnerships and cooperation in addressing the said issues.

The GMS WGHC-3 meeting had three sessions: (i) Implementing the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy (ii) Strategic Results Framework and Regional Action Plan of the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy; and (iii) WGHC Business Matters – updating of the GMS Long-term Strategy 2030, and the Regional Investment Framework.

Thursday, 12 December 2019
Time
Topics
Objective
Presenter
8:00-8:30 am Registration
8:30-8:35 am

Welcoming remarks by Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

Introduction and objectives of the meeting

Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

8:35-8:40 am

Opening remarks by Asian Development Bank, Thailand Resident Mission

Hideaki Iwasaki, Country Director, Thailand Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank

8:40-8:50 am

Objectives of the Greater Mekong Subregion Health Sector Working Group meeting

Ayako Inagaki, Director, Asian Development Bank

8:50-9:00 am

Introduction of participants

Randolph Dacanay, Asian Development Bank Consultant (GMS Regional Coordinator for Health Cooperation)

Session 1

Implementing the Greater Mekong Subregion Health Cooperation Strategy - Rolling out Universal Health Care for Migrant and Mobile Populations

9:00-9:15 am

Regional Healthy Border in the Special Economic Zones Project

An update of the processing of the new project and the next steps

Rikard Elfving, Senior Social Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank

9:15-9:35 am

The Global Compact on Migration and ASEAN’s Thrust in Migration and Health in the Greater Mekong Subregion

An update on global and regional commitments on migration and health (ASEAN and Global led initiatives)

Dr. Patrick Duigan, Regional Migration Health Advisor International Organization on Migration

9:35-9:55 am

The Multi-Country Grant on Tuberculosis among Migrants in the Greater Mekong Subregion

An update on the status and next steps in the region

Dr. May Thinza Kyi, Public Health Expert, United Nations Office for Project Services

9:55-10:15 am

Providing Health Insurance for Migrants – The case of Thailand Documented and Undocumented

Providing health insurance to documented and undocumented migrants –the case of Thailand

Dr. Thaworn Sakunphanit, Advisor, Health Economics and Health Security Division, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

10:15-10:30 am

Question and Answer

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

10:30-11:00 am

Photo Session followed by Tea Break (Venue: Sapphire Room)

Session 1

Implementing the Greater Mekong Subregion Health Cooperation Strategy - Operationalizing Health Security as a regional public good

11:00-11:20 am

The next Global Pandemic: Is the region prepared?

How is the region preparing itself for the next pandemic outbreak?

Richard Brown, Program Manager, Health Emergencies and AMR World Health Organization-Thailand

11:20-11:40 am

Health impact and benefits of infrastructure development

Multi-sectoral partnerships and responses to unintended health impacts

Gene Peralta, Consultant, Asian Development Bank

11:40-12:00 nn

Digital health solutions: New trends and access to high level technology

Use of digital solutions to scale up health care services

Philip Christian Zuniga, SILA Lab; Dr. Boonchai Kijsanayotin, SIL-Philippines

12:00-12:15 pm

Question and Answer

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

12:15-1:30 pm

Lunch Break (The Square Restaurant, 6th floor)

Session 1

Implementing the Greater Mekong Subregion Health Cooperation Strategy - One Health response to public health threats

1:30-1:45 pm

Emerging research on one health

In preparation of the next global meeting on one health – what’s the message? Role of academic networks in the region in strengthening regional health responses and effecting responsive health security system

Dr. Vipat Kuruchittham, Executive Director, South East Asia One Health University Network

1:45-2:00 pm

Updates on health initiative and transboundary diseases in GMS region

Updates on health initiative and transboundary diseases in GMS region

2:00-2:10 pm

Question and Answer

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

Session 2

Greater Mekong Subregion Health Cooperation: The draft Strategic Results Framework and its draft Action Plan of the GMS Strategy 2019–2023

2:10-2:25 pm

Working Group on Health Cooperation 2019 Activity Report

2019 accomplishments of the Working Group on Health Cooperation

Kyi Thar, Asian Development Bank Consultant

2:25-2:40 pm

Monitoring Results of the Greater Mekong Subregion Health Cooperation Strategy

Monitoring the implementation of the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy: key performance areas and key performance indicators

Royce Escolar, Asian Development Bank Consultant (M&E Specialist)

2:40-3:00 pm

The Regional Action Plan

Discussion on the key activities for implementing the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy

Royce Escolar, Asian Development Bank Consultant (M&E Specialist)

3:00-3:15 pm

Next steps (small group discussion)

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

3:15-3:45 pm

Tea/Coffee Break

Session 3

Working Group on Health Cooperation Business Matters

3:45-4:00 pm

Greater Mekong Subregion Strategy 2030

Presentation of the new GMS Strategy 2030, highlighting key features and actions

Pinsuda Alexander, Economist (Regional Cooperation), Asian Development Bank

4:00-4:50 pm

Upcoming Regional Health Events in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sharing of key regional events/activities in the GMS

Randolph Dacanay, Asian Development Bank Consultant (GMS Regional Coordinator for Health Cooperation)

3:15-3:45 pm

Question and Answer

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

6:00 pm onwards

Welcome Reception (View Rooftop Bar, 9th floor)

Friday, 13 December 2019
Time
Topics
Objective
Presenter
8:30-9:00 am Registration
9:00-9:20 am

Applying private sector solutions and public-private partnerships in addressing health challenges

Discussion on developing and employing innovative financing for regional health responses

Sanjay Grover, Public-Private Partnership Specialist, Asian Development Bank

9:20-9:30 am

Question and Answer

Facilitator: Alistair Briscombe

9:30-9:50 am

The GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF)

Presentation of the current RIF

Pinsuda Alexander, Economist (Regional Cooperation), Asian Development Bank

9:50-10:40 am

Reviewing and Updating the RIF (Breakout Groups)

Country updating of the RIF based on new project concept/ideas discussed and agreed by the participants

Randolph Dacanay and Royce Escolar, Asian Development Bank Consultants

10:40-11:00 am

Tea/Coffee Break

Closing Session
11:10-11:25 am

Next steps and closing remarks by Asian Development Bank

Rikard Elfving, Senior Social Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank

11:25-11:50 am

Closing Remarks by Greater Mekong Subregion Countries

Head of Delegation (country focal), Ministry of Health

  • 11:25-11:30
  • 11:30-11:35
  • 11:35-11:40
  • 11:40-11:45
  • 11:45-11:50
  • Cambodia
  • PRC
  • Lao PDR
  • Myanmar
  • Viet Nam
  • Dr. Veasnakiry Lo
  • Dr. Yunping Wang
  • Dr. Founkahm Rattanavong
  • Dr. Thandar Lwinn
  • Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Chau
11:50-12:00 nn

Closing by Ministry of Public Health Thailand

Dr. Phusit Prakongsai, Senior Advisor on Health Promotion, Office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health Thailand

12:00 nn

Lunch Break (The Square Restaurant, 6th floor)