ASEAN launches platform to strengthen pandemic preparedness

VIENTIANE, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) — The Airborne Infection Defense Platform (AIDP) has been officially launched in Laos to strengthen ASEAN countries’ tuberculosis (TB) response, health care systems, and pandemic preparedness to address the growing issue of airborne respiratory infections.
The initiative was inaugurated at a side event of the 16th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, where representatives from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Lao capital Vientiane from Aug. 5 to 9, according to a report from the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Friday.
The launching ceremony was attended by Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, delegations from ASEAN countries, and representatives from Stop TB Partnership, an international health lobby.
The leaders came together to improve understanding of TB and pandemic preparedness across ASEAN, enhance stakeholder cooperation, and strengthen nations’ capacity to address airborne respiratory infections.
The AIDP will work together with ASEAN member states and key global organizations to agree upon policies and methodologies, as well as exchange learnings, use of infrastructure, platform technology and manpower to create surge capacity for TB cases and enhance pandemic preparedness.
The platform will focus on strengthening pandemic and TB responses in each ASEAN country, including at the community and primary care levels. ■