Southeast Asia

The countries of Southeast Asia are extremely heterogeneous, ranging from wealthy countries like Singapore to poor countries like Laos, populous countries like Indonesia to small states like Brunei spread across vast oceans.  As differences within this region mirror global diversity, the ways in which Southeast Asia manages cooperation may provide insights into global health cooperation.  Yet in the field of global health, as with politics and economics, Southeast Asia is often overshadowed by its powerhouse neighbors, China and India.

 CMB’s grant-making has concentrated on mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, Laos Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The Lancet Southeast Asia series, published in January 2011, was been an important exercise for assessing health issues, professional capacity, and policy gaps, in collaboration with scientists from the region.  This intelligence, along with the insights of other specialists, will be incorporated into CMB’s strategic review of its Southeast Asian program. The goal is to more effectively support the development of medical professionals and the formulation of innovative health policies.