VIENTIANE - Representatives from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are meeting to share scaled-up and intensified national disease prevention, preparedness, detection and response measures.

They gathered in Lao capital Vientiane for the 18th ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) on July 1-5, according to a report from the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Wednesday.

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The meeting reported on achievements to date and pending issues that need to be agreed upon in the field of health among ASEAN countries, ASEAN Plus Three, and ASEAN-China.

Rapid growth and changes in ASEAN pose challenges to the health systems of its member states. Communities are faced with overpopulation, pollution and environmental health problems, according to the report.

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Poverty remains an important determinant for health status, especially for marginalized and vulnerable groups, including those living in remote, isolated, mountainous, island communities, or resource-poor areas.

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Senior health officials agreed on the convening of the ASEAN Health Ministers conference to outline enhanced policy and strategic directions that will enable the ASEAN region to effectively respond to new developments and possible scenarios.

ASEAN health officials also stressed the importance of international cooperation.