Myanmar attends 10th AP Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination in Laos

A Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win attended the 10th Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination jointly organized by the Health Ministry of Laos and Asia-Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) in Laos on 5 June.

At the opening ceremony, Lao Prime Minister Mr Sonexay Siphandone delivered the opening remarks. Lao Health Minister Madam Baykham Khattiya and the Union minister also delivered remarks on the achievements made towards malaria elimination by 2030, emerging challenges encountered in the process, and the need to further strengthen cooperation among Greater Mekong Subregion countries, particularly neighbouring countries sharing common borders. They also discussed recommendations and measures to enhance collaborative efforts.

The Union minister and party also attended the High-level Round-table Discussion held under the topic of GMS Malaria Elimination in 2030: Celebrating Progress and Acknowledging the Need for a Differentiated Approach, and discussed Myanmar’s activities for malaria elimination by 2030.

The health ministers, deputy ministers, and senior representatives from Greater Mekong Subregion countries signed a reaffirmation of the Joint Call to Action to Malaria Elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion, which was originally signed and issued in Nay Pyi Taw in 2018.

At noon, the Union Minister and Myanmar Ambassador to Laos U Aung Ko received Dr Yong Zhang, Vice-Minister of the National Health Commission of China, at the meeting hall of Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, where the summit was held. During the meeting, they cordially discussed enhanced cooperation in malaria prevention, control and prevention of communicable diseases along the Myanmar-China border areas.

The Union minister also received Lao Health Minister Madam Baykham Khattiya in the same evening and discussed promoting Myanmar-Laos cooperation in the health sector, including signing an MoU between the health ministries of the two countries, cooperation in pharmaceutical and vaccine production, and closer bilateral collaboration in the health sector.

MNA/KTZH

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