2nd ASEAN Academic Conference on Disaster Health Management, 18-19 October 2023, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The 2nd ASEAN Academic Conference on Disaster Health Management (AAC on DHM) took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from October 18th to 19th, 2023. This significant event aimed to share knowledge and provide innovative scientific insights on the DHM, as well as strengthen networking among policy/decision makers, medical practitioners, and researchers/academics. The conference not only facilitated insightful discussions but also witnessed the official inauguration of the ASEAN Institute for Disaster Health Management (AIDHM) as the secretariat office of the ASEAN Academic Network on Disaster Health Management (AANDHM).

- Pre-Conference Seminars and AIDHM Inauguration:
The conference commenced on the 17th of October with the pre-conference seminars focused on "Safe and Resilient Health Facilities and Infrastructure" as a one of the important areas to achieve as ASEAN priority. Additionally, the ASEAN Institute for Disaster Health Management (AIDHM) officially inaugurated as a secretariat office of ASEAN Academic Network on Disaster Health Management (AANDHM) to operate knowledge management activity in the region.

- 2 days Highlights of the conference on DHM:
The opening speeches were delivered by esteemed figures, including Prof. Yodi Mahendradhata, who serves as the Dean and a Professor in Health Policy and Management at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Dr. Kunta Wiba Wa Dasa Nugraha, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia; and Flt.Lt. Dr. Atchariya Pangma, M.D., the Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine Thailand.

Following the speeches, the conference officially started with a keynote lecture by Dr. Donald Donahue, the president of World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM), on the “advancing disaster health management in the changing world”, setting the stage for the two-days filled with insightful and engaging discussions.

This conference organized fruitful discussions through 6 sessions, with invited presenters both from ASEAN Member States and non-ASEAN regions:

Additionally, the conference included a ceremonial handover of the chair of Steering Committee of AANDHM from Thailand to Indonesia as the lead country for two years until next AAC on DHM. Flt.Lt. Dr. Atchariya Pangma, Thailand, and Prof. Yodi Mahendradhata, Indonesia, shaking hand as symbol of the handover for the AANDHM from Thailand to Indonesia.

On the final day of the coordination meetings, a multi-stakeholder discussion was held involving representatives from:

The focus of the session was on exploring collaborative opportunities in ASEAN’s academic activities on disaster health management.
A shared understanding emerged that, for the ASEAN Academic Network on Disaster Health Management (AANDHM) to grow as a credible and impactful platform, strategic partnerships with international academic and professional bodies are essential. Participants agreed to seize opportunities for building constructive, long-term relationships that will contribute to the strengthening of disaster health capacities across ASEAN.
This discussion laid important groundwork for future joint activities, knowledge exchange, and academic alignment with global standards.

Subcequently, the 3rd Steering Committee Meeting of the ASEAN Academic Network on Disaster Health Management (SC/AAN-DHM) was conducted back-to-back to the 2nd AAC on DHM on the 20th October 2023 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Prof. Yodi Mahendradhata, as the new chair, lead the meeting to further discuss the following agenda: