South-East Asia Regional Conference on Epidemiology

364 | <strong>South</strong>-<strong>East</strong> <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>Regional</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Epidemiology
Closing remarks
Salim Habayeb
The guiding principle that motivates policy is indeed evidence, which is essential for decision-making.
Epidemiology can guide the whole cycle of work, i.e. building on recommendations generated by
evidence, and, then, responding to emerging challenges in the health sector and beyond. Attempts have
been made to build strength in many areas of epidemiology. Through extensive technical collaboration,
training and fellowship programmes, networking with collaborating centres and centres of excellence
nationally and internationally, as well as through direct and indirect support to national and regional
efforts, capacity would be increased in various areas of epidemiology.
But apart from capacity building in epidemiology, there should be involvement in other substantive
areas. First, there is a historic and arbitrary separation of health planning from health sector planning.
With rising health care costs, discussions need to move to funding. Clinical practice and health care
planning have increasingly become permanent subjects of epidemiological research, but the role of
epidemiology in planning is not yet fully established in public health. Yet, this is where the interest is
growing and research funding is increasing.
Challenges are encountered in the application of epidemiology. Evidence-based guidelines have
improved clinical outcomes, but effective therapies are not fully applied. Ineffective, costly and
unnecessary treatments continue to be prescribed at individual level and in public health programmes.
Finally, frustrating delays are witnessed between acquiring epidemiological evidence and its
application in health policy. Clearly, these challenges need to be addressed so as to make optimal use
of epidemiology for guiding the way forward.