Speaking at the opening of the Southeast Asia Regional Forum for Dengue Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Infectious Diseases, Prima Yosephine, stressed that dengue infections remain a pressing concern in the region.
“Dengue infections in the ASEAN region remain a public health concern. Therefore, cooperation among ASEAN countries is important to reinforce dengue control efforts,” Yosephine said.
She emphasized that dengue cannot be effectively managed by individual countries alone, pointing to shared climate conditions, high population mobility, and socio-cultural similarities that allow the disease to spread across borders.
The forum, hosted in Indonesia, serves as a platform for ASEAN nations to exchange strategies, experiences, and best practices.
Jakarta hopes the discussions will lead to concrete recommendations that can be elevated to regional policymaking levels.
Yosephine highlighted the need for comprehensive and sustainable approaches, including environmental management, vector control, and human protection measures.
She urged ASEAN countries to adopt common goals, such as achieving zero dengue-related deaths by 2030.
Indonesia views the forum as an opportunity to strengthen regional solidarity and develop coordinated responses to dengue, reinforcing the idea that infectious diseases demand collective action beyond national boundaries.
Translator: Ida, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
