Kuala Lumpur, 28 June 2026 (The Capital Post) – Malaysia has strengthened regional health cooperation by chairing a series of ASEAN Plus health meetings following the 20th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD), as preparations continue for the adoption of major regional health strategies later this year.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA, the Ministry of Health, as host, chaired several hybrid ASEAN Plus meetings held after the 20th ASEAN SOMHD from 22 to 24 June 2026.
The meetings included the 15th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) SOMHD, the 15th ASEAN-China SOMHD, the 5th ASEAN-Republic of Korea SOMHD, as well as the inaugural ASEAN-United States SOMHD and the inaugural ASEAN-Japan SOMHD, both held for the first time in 2026.
The ministry said the meetings further strengthened cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue and development partners while marking an important milestone in the region’s public health agenda.
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Among the key outcomes was progress towards finalising the ASEAN Strategic Health Agenda (ASHA) and the ASEAN Health Sector Work Programme 2026–2030. Both frameworks have received collective endorsement at the SOMHD level from all 11 ASEAN member states and are scheduled to be formally adopted during the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting from 7 to 11 September 2026, in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Health Sector Chairmanship.
The series of meetings was chaired by Health Director-General YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mahathar Abdul Wahab, while Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Dr. Ismuni Bohari served as Alternate Chair and Head of the Malaysian Delegation.
The ministry also expressed its appreciation to all participating delegations for their commitment to advancing a healthier, more equitable and resilient ASEAN community. – The Capital Post.
