TECHNOLOGY, partnerships and people must work hand-in-hand to bridge public health gaps across the Asia-Pacific region, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
While technology had become an important tool in strengthening healthcare systems, she said innovation must remain people-centred, inclusive and accessible to ensure no community was left behind.
“Collaboration between governments, healthcare institutions, academia, industry and communities is equally important in addressing emerging public health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, mental health issues and ageing populations,” she said when opening the 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health (APCPH) 2026 in Johor Baru.
Hanifah said conferences such as APCPH provided an important platform for healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers to exchange knowledge, strengthen regional partnerships and translate research into practical solutions to improve healthcare systems.
Family medicine consultant Dr V. Paranthaman said international conferences provided valuable opportunities to learn from different healthcare systems.
“Every country faces unique challenges, but many have developed innovative, evidence-based solutions that can be adapted to our own setting.
“We can learn from each other’s successes and mistakes.”
Dr Paranthaman, who presented on chronic kidney disease among diabetic patients in Johor, said one of the conference’s key takeaways was the growing role of digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in advancing public health.
However, he stressed that technology should complement, not replace, the human element of healthcare.
“By automating routine tasks and improving data analysis, clinicians can spend more time communicating with patients, building trust and delivering person-centred care, especially in primary care,” he said.
Dr Paranthaman hoped to adopt more data-driven approaches to identify high-risk patients earlier, allowing healthcare providers to focus on prevention rather than waiting until illnesses become more severe.
Meanwhile, medical officer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah Dr Nurshafinaz Abu Bakar said discussions with delegates and researchers provided fresh ideas on integrating technology into healthcare while ensuring accessibility.
She said AI and digital health tools could help bridge healthcare gaps, particularly in rural communities where access to medical services was limited.
“If we can reach them more effectively, health outcomes will improve,” she said.
She added that exchanging experiences with healthcare professionals from across the region had exposed her to practical ideas that could eventually be adapted to improve healthcare delivery in Malaysia.
Sarawak General Hospital director Dr Ngian Hie Ung said many countries continued to grapple with similar public health challenges despite differences in their healthcare systems.
She said non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and mental health disorders were among the biggest concerns, largely driven by lifestyle changes.
“There is still much we can do to improve healthcare, but it requires everyone to work together,” she said.
She added that conferences such as APCPH encouraged healthcare professionals to share evidence-based practices and explore practical solutions.
The three-day conference brought together more than 900 healthcare leaders, researchers and policymakers from across Asia-Pacific to exchange knowledge and strengthen regional cooperation in advancing public health.
