29 April 2025 and 30 April 2025, Asia School of Business, Kuala Lumpur

The SEA Bioethics Network held a workshop at the end of April 2025 to kickstart a regional working group focused on research and healthcare ethics for migrant populations. With support from the Global Infectious Disease Ethics Collaborative (GLIDE), the objective was to bring together ideas, plans, and people passionate about improving care and ethical standards for migrants across Southeast Asia.

The workshop started with a session led by Associate Professor Dr Sharon Kaur and Ms Napat Khirikoekkong, who mapped out plans for three upcoming workshops in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. These would focus on research ethics and the unique challenges  of working with migrant communities. Dr Voo Teck Chuan then shared a funding opportunity through the ACP Programme Grants. Participants provided critical research ideas which were aimed at the ethical treatment and care of migrant patients across borders. 

This was followed by Dr Veena Pillai’s session dealing with how the ECS-MP (Ethics Consultation Service for Migrant Populations) could support ethics review boards and offer specialist input on studies involving migrants. This is especially important as migrant health research often requires a deeper ethical lens.

The workshop wrapped up with exciting next steps: a regional working group on research and healthcare ethics for migrants will be established, beginning in Malaysia and extending regionally. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing ethical standards and equitable healthcare access for migrant communities across Southeast Asia.