The Ministry of Public Health is ready to host the APEC Health Week meeting on August 22-26 to discuss the balance of health and the economic.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Announced that the Minister of Public Health is ready to host the APEC Health Week meeting during August 22-26, attended by 21 APEC economies, along with senior officials from international organizations, to accelerate the discussions about balancing public health and the economy and investment in global health security and to present Thailand's response to COVID-19 pandemic and innovative medical technology in accordance with the BCG Economy policy.

Today (15 August 2022) at the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, along with Dr. Kiattibhoom Wongrachit, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health and executives of the Ministry of Public Health Join the press conference of the 12th APEC High-level Meeting on Public Health and Economics and the APEC Health Working Group Meeting (2/2022)

DPM Anutin said that in 2022, Thailand will host the APEC meeting under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance” to support collaboration of all sectors and advocating for the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy) economic policy. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health also hosts an APEC Health Minister meeting under the theme “Open to partnership. Connect with the World. Balance Health and the Economy”, which is the first public health conference in Thailand from August 22-26, at the Millennium Hilton, Bangkok. The anticipated participants are from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, China Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. While China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Russia will participate online. Additionally, senior leaders from international organizations; namely ASEAN Secretary-General, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, and more than 150 high-ranking government officials and the private sectors will attend the meeting as well.

DPM Anutin also said the meeting have 4 goals to achieve including: to share experiences and set the direction of working together to cooperate in medicine and public health, to demonstrate capacities and capabilities of Thailand’s health system and public health, and to display the beautiful culture and traditions of Thailand. The meeting consists of 10 activities: bilateral meetings with 3 economies, policy dialogue on SMART families and cervical cancer, meetings of health ministers and the private sector in the forum on Balancing Health and the Economy to discuss on economic recovery after the pandemic, and a round table meeting on Investment in Global Health Security to ensure economies to increase investment in health to tackle with any outbreak in the future.

Furthermore, there will be a study visit on the advancement of health technology at Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, such as the KCMH Proton Center, Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial center, and Relief and Community Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society. The afternoon of August 26, 2022, Thailand will introduce the location of the Secretariat of the ASEAN Center for Response to Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED: ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies. and Emerging Diseases) at Bang Rak too.

Dr. Kiattibhoom said that the Ministry of Public Health is fully prepared to organize this APEC Health Week, including COVID-19 surveillance, medical preparedness, and emergency medical system. We have set up a medical team that stand by at the Millennium Hilton Hotel for 24 hours a day, a referral system in case of an emergency and traffic safety protocol on the day of the APEC meeting. For the exhibition, Department of Health Service Support, collaborated with the private sector, will organize an exhibition under the concept of "Thailand Global Healthcare Destination" in order to create a Medical Hub in Thailand, featuring Thai massage, spa treatments, and the role of Village Health Volunteer (VHV) in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine will present research and development, extraction process, and herbal products. Innovative health technology such as Personal Based Medicine and medicinal cannabis will be demonstrated by Department of Medicine, whereas the success in disease prevention and control will be presented by Department of Disease Control. On the evening of August 25, the gala dinner will be held for all of the participants, with the Thai traditional performance and Phu Akkhani shirts, which fabrics are dyed with volcanic soil, for the Minister of Health and attendees.

For a study visit at Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society on August 24, 2022, it is aimed to present the national movement on advanced medicine and public health technology and innovation, consistent with the Bioeconomic policy, Circular economy and Green economy (BCG). This BCG economy concept has been proposed as an overarching thinking to accelerate APEC’s efforts towards a sustainable, inclusive and balanced economic recovery following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic in many economies. It is emphasized on implementing technology and innovation to help entrepreneurs and aimed at creating balance in all aspects.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Health has prepared a team of 51 Liaison Officers from various sectors; the Department of Tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sports Authority of Thailand, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourist Police Headquarters, Special Area Administrative Organization for Sustainable Tourism, and students from the MICE youth network project to take care of the participants and also prepared souvenirs such as facial care products, Thai fragrance products, and essential oils for all participants.
As for APEC members, there are currently 21 economies: Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, China Hong Kong, New Zealand, United States, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, China Taipei, Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia and Vietnam.

********************************* 15 August 2022