“A shift from curative care to preventative care can help create a more sustainable, accessible, and resilient healthcare system in the ASEAN region, according to Chris Humphrey, executive director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council.
This shift involves self-care, which includes health literacy so people understand what their body tells them, early diagnosis, which includes regular checkups, and life course immunizations, which includes influenza shots for adults. EU-ASEAN members like Siemens Healthineers and Roche, Mr. Humphrey added, promote such programs.
Promoting education on diet and exercise, along with encouraging private health insurance, can contribute to sustainable healthcare financing. This, in turn, can help achieve universal health coverage, Mr. Humphrey also said.
“If we can make sure we have a healthier, fitter ASEAN, that’s good for our members,” he told BusinessWorld. “It’s good for the governments of the region. It helps drive more economic growth and development. It means we can look after the citizens of the region much better.”
Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas
