On 28 October 2025, the Universiti Malaya hosted a pre-conference workshop titled “Implementation Science for All: Advancing Equity and Access in Health” as part of the lead-up to APRU 2025. The event brought together a diverse array of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to reimagine how implementation science can drive equitable and inclusive health outcomes across varied contexts.
Bridging Research and Real-World Impact
Implementation science is crucial when translating research findings into effective policies and programmes. However, the workshop opened with a candid reflection: too often, these benefits fail to reach marginalised and under-resourced populations. The day’s session aimed to address this gap by exploring practical tools, inclusive strategies, and community-centred approaches.
Prof. Rick Altice (Yale School of Medicine) opened the plenary with a compelling address on advancing equity through implementation, highlighting global case studies where local engagement transformed health outcomes. This was followed by Prof Rafdzah Zaki (Universiti Malaya), who offered a thought-provoking keynote redefining what counts as implementation research, advocating for broader, context-sensitive boundaries.
Key Themes and Sessions
- Digital Tools and Equity: Dr Rumana Saifi presented evidence from high- and low-resource settings, demonstrating how digital innovations can either bridge or widen health disparities.
- Community Voice and Ownership: A panel moderated by Iqa Mohd Salleh featured experts and grassroots leaders discussing how to elevate voices from LMICs and under-represented groups in shaping implementation agendas.
- Skills Workshops: Participants engaged in parallel sessions covering topics such as decolonising planetary health research, bundled implementation strategies, and policy translation.
- AI and Vulnerable Populations: A timely workshop, led by Claudia Abreu Lopes, examined how AI can support rather than sideline vulnerable communities, provided it is designed with equity at its core.
The event concluded with a panel on “The Future of Implementation Science is Equitable”, where academics and practitioners, including representatives from WHO-TDR and Universiti Malaya, shared insights on building more just and impactful health systems.
Reflections and Implications
This workshop served not just as a knowledge-sharing forum but as a call to action. It underscored the importance of embedding equity into every stage of implementation research, from design to dissemination. Participants left with new frameworks, tools, and partnerships to drive inclusive health improvement efforts across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
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