As global health systems struggle with the compounding effects of pandemics, economic instability, climate change, and widening social inequities, the imperative to build resilience has never been more urgent. But resilience is not simply the ability to withstand shocks; it is shaped by the underlying structures of governance, financing, and justice. To build systems that are not only robust in crisis but also equitable and sustainable in everyday function, we must understand how economic and policy frameworks influence both system capacity and health equity. This symposium explores how forward-looking governance and economic strategies can transform health systems into engines of resilience and inclusion.
Speakers
Dr Piya Hanvoravongchai (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore) is a public health physician and health systems expert specialising in health policy, financing, and equity. Formerly Secretary-General of the National Health Foundation, Thailand, he has held academic positions at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Chulalongkorn University. As a founding Co-Director of the Equity Initiative, he has advised ministries of health and international agencies across Asia-Pacific on health systems strengthening and equitable healthcare access.
Dr Gan Saw Chien (ProtectHealth Corporation, Malaysia) is a public health physician and a key leader in reforming Malaysia’s dual-sector health system. His talk, “Bridging the Public-Private Divide: Enhancing Sustainability in Malaysia’s Health System through Strategic Purchasing from the Private Sector,” explores how ProtectHealth’s Strategic Purchasing initiatives strengthen health financing, engage private providers, and complement public healthcare services. His work focuses on advancing affordability, quality, and equity across Malaysia’s health system.
Professor Dr Ajay Mahal (University of Melbourne, Australia), an internationally recognised health economist with expertise in health financing, economic evaluation, and systems policy. His presentation, “Economic Policy and Health System Resilience: What Works and What Still Needs Fixing,” will critically examine the role of economic policy in shaping resilient health systems, highlighting successes as well as persistent gaps in policy design and implementation. Drawing from experiences across low- and middle-income countries, he will offer insights into economic strategies that can strengthen performance and equity.
Moderator
Dr Ainol Haniza Kherul Anuwar (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia) is a Lecturer in the Department of Community Oral Health & Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. Formerly with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, she contributed to oral healthcare delivery and evidence-based clinical guideline development through the Health Technology Assessment Section. She holds a Doctorate and Master’s in Dental Public Health from Universiti Malaya and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Her research focuses on health economics, policy, and systems, particularly cost modelling and access to oral care among disadvantaged populations.
Through interdisciplinary perspectives grounded in governance, economics, and real-world policy experience, this symposium aims to promote critical dialogue and collaborative learning on actionable solutions for building resilient, equitable, and future-ready health systems.