A very good morning to you all.
The WHO South-East Asia Region is home to a quarter of the global population and faces rising health threats. We face disease outbreaks and the effects of climate change in the context of fragile systems and socio-environmental vulnerabilities.
These emergencies have wide-ranging consequences for our health, our economies and our societies. They disproportionately affect vulnerable groups - such as women, children, and the poor - against a backdrop of historical underinvestment in the health sector across the region.
Adequate, predictable, and sustained investment in health systems, including emergency response capacities, is essential to prevent and manage health threats.
Stronger systems detect and contain outbreaks early, showing resilience, while robust public health functions enable timely responses.
Health systems and emergency preparedness are mutually reinforcing, and community engagement plays a vital role in both routine and emergency settings.
A PHC-oriented health system lays the groundwork for resilient emergency preparedness. It does so by embedding risk management and community-level action into routine care.
This is closely aligned with WHO’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response framework. The framework builds on similar principles—particularly community engagement—to enhance the ability of countries to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
I am pleased to note that in our South-Asia region, we have seen high-level political commitment to strengthening health systems and emergency response. This is evident in key resolutions such as the 2021 Ministerial Declaration, the 2023 Delhi Declarations, and our regional alignment with global initiatives such as the recent WHO Pandemic Agreement and G20 commitments.
Education is, of course, a key determinant of health. Amongst its many other benefits, it improves outcomes, and life expectancy. Equitable access to quality education is essential. In our region, medical education is expanding rapidly. It is with pride that I can tell you that South-East Asia produces as many doctors as 36 OECD countries combined. It is essential that this growth is aligned to people’s health needs, especially those most vulnerable. It is also equally important that quality both clinical and compassionate care is assured.
Promoting health equity is essential, through investment in education, advocacy, bridging community gaps, and championing gender equity. These are the building blocks of resilient, inclusive health systems.
As we know, we are living in an age of complex health threats and rising humanitarian needs. We must respond to this by building inclusive and resilient health systems. This must be people-centred and locally driven, with a strong humanitarian workforce at its core.
Before I conclude, I would like to note that IFMSA has helped shaped the next generation of public health leaders for over 70 years.
I would also like to thank IFMSA Bangladesh for their flood relief support last year in Bangladesh. You provided hope and help through medical aid and social support and showed us all that the future of public health is safe in your hands.
I wish you all a successful and constructive regional meeting.
Thank you.