COLOMBO, Nov 11: Countries belonging to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) are working towards strengthening regional healthcare collaboration, with senior officials and health ministers discussing ways to improve public health systems, expand medical cooperation and enhance preparedness for emerging health challenges.
The discussions took place during the first BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting on Health, hosted by Sri Lanka in Colombo on November 10, followed by the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for November 11.
The meetings bring together representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in healthcare and public health.
The senior officials’ meeting reviewed progress in regional health cooperation and considered several initiatives aimed at expanding collaboration among member countries. Key areas included public health, capacity-building, traditional medicine, cancer care and disease surveillance.
The discussions also focused on establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine in India and strengthening institutional mechanisms to support cooperation among participating nations.
According to information released by the BIMSTEC Secretariat, the November 10 meeting provided guidance on follow-up measures and finalised the agenda and draft joint ministerial statement for the first Health Ministers’ Meeting.
The initiative represents an important step towards developing a coordinated regional approach to healthcare, particularly as countries across South and Southeast Asia face common challenges involving communicable diseases, non-communicable illnesses, healthcare access and medical preparedness.
Regional cooperation takes centre stage
Healthcare challenges frequently extend beyond national borders. Infectious diseases, environmental health risks and public health emergencies can affect multiple countries, making cooperation between governments and health institutions increasingly important.
The BIMSTEC framework provides an opportunity for member states to share knowledge, exchange experiences and strengthen institutional capabilities in areas where coordinated action can produce wider benefits.
The first senior officials’ meeting examined how existing regional cooperation could be expanded through practical initiatives and improved coordination.
Discussions on public health focused on strengthening cooperation between national health systems, while capacity-building remained another important area of attention.
Countries in the region have different healthcare infrastructures, medical resources and institutional capabilities. Sharing technical knowledge, professional expertise and successful public health practices can help address some of these differences.
Regional collaboration can also support the development of common approaches to disease monitoring, emergency response and healthcare planning.
The ministerial-level engagement is expected to provide political direction to the proposals discussed by senior officials and help identify areas requiring greater cooperation.
Disease surveillance and emergency preparedness
Disease surveillance emerged as one of the important subjects during the discussions.
Effective surveillance systems help health authorities identify unusual disease patterns, monitor outbreaks and respond to public health threats before they spread further.
For countries connected through trade, tourism, migration and geographical proximity, the ability to exchange relevant health information can be particularly valuable.
Stronger cooperation in disease surveillance can help governments improve the timely sharing of information and coordinate responses when health emergencies affect more than one country.
Preparedness also requires trained medical personnel, functional laboratories, adequate hospital facilities and effective communication between public health agencies.
The November 11 ministerial engagement comes at a time when governments are increasingly recognising the importance of strengthening healthcare systems beyond routine hospital services.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly a public health emergency can disrupt hospitals, supply chains, travel and economic activity. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, reliable health information and coordinated emergency planning.
Although the BIMSTEC discussions cover a wider range of healthcare priorities, improved regional preparedness remains an important area in which member countries can benefit from sharing experience and institutional knowledge.
Cooperation in this field could help participating nations identify gaps in their health systems and strengthen their ability to respond to future emergencies.
Greater attention to cancer care
Cancer care was another important subject included in the senior officials’ discussions.
Cancer continues to place a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide, requiring early diagnosis, specialised medical facilities, trained professionals and long-term treatment support.
Access to cancer screening and treatment can vary significantly between regions, particularly where advanced medical infrastructure is concentrated in major cities.
Regional cooperation can provide opportunities for exchanging knowledge about prevention programmes, screening approaches, treatment practices and healthcare workforce development.
Sharing experience between member countries could also help improve public awareness and strengthen institutional capacity for managing cancer-related illnesses.
Cancer treatment often requires coordination between multiple medical specialities, including oncology, radiology, pathology and surgery. Developing these capabilities requires investment in both infrastructure and skilled personnel.
The BIMSTEC discussions provide a platform for member countries to examine how regional partnerships can support improvements in cancer care and public health services.
However, meaningful progress will depend on the development of practical programmes, sustained investment and cooperation between medical institutions.
Traditional medicine receives regional attention
Traditional medicine also featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the proposal to establish a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine in India.
The proposed centre is intended to provide an institutional platform for strengthening cooperation in this field among member countries.
Traditional healthcare practices have a long history across South and Southeast Asia, with different countries maintaining their own systems of medical knowledge and treatment.
The establishment of a regional centre could provide opportunities for academic exchange, research collaboration, documentation of traditional practices and professional capacity-building.
At the same time, the integration of traditional medicine into modern healthcare requires appropriate scientific evaluation, quality standards and patient safety safeguards.
Research is important for assessing the safety, effectiveness and appropriate applications of traditional therapies. Standardised methods of evaluation can also help distinguish practices supported by scientific evidence from those requiring further investigation.
A regional institution could contribute to these efforts by encouraging collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals and relevant national institutions.
India’s proposed role in hosting the Centre of Excellence also provides an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with neighbouring countries in traditional healthcare research and education.
Sri Lanka highlights the importance of institutional partnerships
Sri Lanka, which hosted the meetings in Colombo, has emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation among BIMSTEC members.
On the sidelines of the inaugural ministerial engagement, Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa met a high-level delegation representing member countries, including BIMSTEC Secretary-General Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey.
The discussions covered the functioning of national health service systems, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and opportunities to expand cooperation in healthcare.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Minister Arun Hemachandra also held discussions with senior health officials from member nations.
The delegation, led by Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe, included senior representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand.
During the discussions, the importance of sharing expertise and resources, strengthening institutional capacity and improving preparedness for future health emergencies was highlighted.
Hemachandra also referred to Sri Lanka’s role as a founding member of BIMSTEC and its engagement in science, technology and innovation.
He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional collaboration through initiatives such as the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Colombo and the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence on Public Health.
These initiatives underline the importance of developing institutional platforms that can support technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing across the region.
Building stronger healthcare systems together
The first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting marks an effort to give greater attention to healthcare as an area of regional cooperation.
The seven member countries have different population sizes, economic conditions and healthcare priorities. Nevertheless, they share several public health concerns that require continuous attention and effective planning.
Improving access to medical services, strengthening disease surveillance, developing trained healthcare personnel and expanding specialised treatment facilities are among the areas where cooperation could provide long-term benefits.
Regional partnerships can also help medical institutions exchange research findings, share technical expertise and explore opportunities for training and professional development.
For smaller healthcare systems, access to regional knowledge and institutional partnerships can be particularly valuable in improving technical capabilities.
The discussions on cancer care and traditional medicine also demonstrate the broad scope of the cooperation being considered, extending beyond emergency response to include prevention, research and specialised treatment.
However, the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend on how the proposals are translated into concrete programmes.
Clear implementation plans, designated institutional responsibilities, adequate resources and regular monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the discussions produce measurable improvements.
Looking towards long-term regional health security
The Colombo meetings have provided BIMSTEC members with an opportunity to assess existing cooperation and identify areas for further engagement.
The senior officials’ meeting on November 10 established the groundwork for ministerial-level discussions by reviewing progress and preparing a draft joint statement.
The November 11 meeting provides an important platform for member countries to consider the proposed initiatives and strengthen their commitment to regional healthcare cooperation.
The focus on public health, disease surveillance, cancer care, traditional medicine and capacity-building reflects an effort to develop a more comprehensive approach to regional health security.
For the participating nations, stronger collaboration could help improve institutional readiness, encourage scientific exchange and support the development of more resilient healthcare systems.
As the region continues to face changing public health requirements, sustained cooperation between governments and medical institutions will remain essential.
The Colombo engagement represents an important beginning in this direction, with the next challenge being to turn shared priorities into practical action that improves healthcare access and outcomes across all seven BIMSTEC countries.