Asean steps up push for diagnostic security, self-reliance

Asean health ministers have announced heightened efforts to bolster diagnostic security as one of 12 crucial areas of cooperation in the upcoming years. In a joint declaration, the ministers emphasized that Asean, in collaboration with China, Japan and South Korea, have singled out diagnostics security as a priority for health cooperation during 2027 and 2028.

Their agenda also includes vaccines, therapeutics, and access to them. This ambitious plan is set to be executed through Asean's existing strategies and the creation of a regional framework for diagnostic security and self-reliance.

To achieve these goals, the ministers pledged to work with China to advance the integration of new technologies, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and bolster the treatment of infectious diseases. Japan's contribution will focus on strengthening national and regional capacities for public health emergencies prevention, preparedness, early detection, and response.

South Korea's commitment involves ongoing cooperation with Asean on laboratory and diagnostic capacity, aligning with their efforts to enhance regional health security.

The United States will join the cooperation in fortifying laboratory systems and diagnostic capacity across the region, ensuring technical support in laboratory quality management systems, genomic surveillance, antimicrobial resistance mitigation, and biosafety and biosecurity. As part of Asean's new five-year regional health plan, the Asean Strategic Health Agenda 2026-2030, the ministers unveiled their commitment to self-reliance during the recent Asean health ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur.