Pandemics and Public Health Systems in Asia

The covid-19 pandemic sweeping across Asia and the world has highlighted the strengths and limitations in the delivery of public health services within different states. While some states like Vietnam and South Korea are praised for their successful responses to the global crisis, the public health systems in other countries have seemingly struggled to manage surges in cases. A well-developed and effective public health system is one that meets the needs of communities through the achievement of primary health care objectives. This requires recognising and accounting for the complex relationships between the delivery of health services and other national priorities in politics, economics, the environment, culture and education. What lessons can Asian states draw from Covid-19 and other pandemics in strengthening their public health systems? Which states have been successful in dealing with pandemics and why? And how are pandemics linked with other global challenges? In this La Trobe Asia webinar a panel of experts will discuss these questions. Panel: Professor Vivian Lin (Public Health Practice, University of Hong Kong) Professor George Liu (School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University) Dr Susan Mercado (Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives, Philippines) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded live via zoom on 2 September, 2020.