ASEAN SKIN DOCS WANT TO HARMONISE STANDARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Dermatologists practising in South East
Asian countries will gather at a regional meeting for a dialogue on the
liberalisation of healthcare services under the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA)
Agreement.

The AFTA agreement will see member countries relaxing trade barriers, some
earlier than others.

Malaysia aims to open up its healthcare services section by the end of this
year, said the League of Asean Dermatological Societies in a statement.

Led by the League of Asian Dermatological Societies, senior skin
specialists and heads of national skin societies from six South East Asian
nations –- Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam
-- will gather in Hanoi to share country specific experiences, harmonise
standards and address possible negative social impacts from the liberalisation
of healthcare services.

It said among the top concerns to be raised are the provisions needed to
establish a regulatory framework that will safeguard access, quality and
delivery of care as well as provide an avenue to protect patients at the
regional level.

“It is envisioned that these views and best practices will be developed
into
clinical guidelines and championed by a new association, the Asian Academy of
Dermatology and Venereology),” said Dr Steven Chow, secretary-general of the
LADS.

“ Solutions mooted to address patients' needs include formation of a
regional patient grievance network or mechanism to protect patients' rights and
for resolving problems as well as complaints.

" Without these safeguards and mechanisms, it is likely that the
liberalisation
of healthcare services may worsen imbalances in the supply and
demand of specialty healthcare and widen the gap between the have and
have-nots,” he said.

Dr Chow said the views and concerns consolidated from the meeting will be
presented to national dermatological associations in their respective countries.

“ Many of us across the region are ill-informed and will not be able to
provide
recommendations on how to avoid negative short-and long-term implications from
AFTA, which is why preparations must begin now.

“ Hopefully, they will serve as policy recommendations as governments
grapple with complementary policies needed before relaxing formal trade barriers
and balancing the need for flexibility and protection, especially in areas such
as labour laws,” he said.

Dr Chow also said the conference will also examine the development and
benefits of a regional psoriasis registry to assist research specific to Asian
patients and treatment of the disease.

Formalised at a regional conference held in Bali in 1988, LADS is the
recognised body for the national dermatological societies from Malaysia,
Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam to enhance regional and
international cooperation in the field of dermatology.

The Hanoi meeting on Nov 6 will also see the inauguration of the Asian
Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AADV) by LADS to fulfil the need for a
central representation body for dermatologists in the region.

-- BERNAMA