Thailand hosts the capacity building meeting in “Disease Control in Asia-Pacific”, hoping to create Global Health Security

The Royal Thai Government by five ministries: Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Ministry of Foreign Affair hosts the meeting to develop operation plans in strengthening health security among 24 countries in Asia-Pacific region. The meeting addresses three important issues: workforce development, national laboratory system strengthening, and antimicrobial resistance prevention. Thailand is ready to offer assistance to neighboring countries.

Today (6 May 2015) at Mandarin Hotel, Bangkok, Prof. Rachata Rachatanawin, Minister of Public Health, presides over the opening ceremony of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Meeting to strengthen collaboration in the prevention and control of diseases and health hazards among 24 countries in Asia-Pacific region. The meeting is held during 6-8 May 2015 through the cooperation of five ministries: Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Foreign Affair. Two hundred participants include representatives from 24 countries and international organizations responsible for human health and animal health development such as World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Prof. Rachata Rachatanawin said that at present health problem is an important issue of concern of every country because it has negative impact on the socio-economic development of the country. WHO and many member countries encourage every country to work together to create global health security. The Royal Thai Government realizes this so it hosts the meeting to expand collaboration among neighboring countries and countries in Asia-Pacific region. The meeting will encourage each country to develop the capacity in disease prevention and control. Also, operation plans will be formulated focusing on three main issues that are important for disease prevention and control: 1. National Laboratory System Strengthening, 2. Workforce Development, and 3. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Thailand has accepted to be a leading country in the first two action packages.

Prof. Rachata added that in this meeting, the representatives from 24 countries will discuss and find gaps and problems of each country and develop operation plans which will include knowledge, expert, budget, and laboratory capacities. This cooperation will enable each country to be better prepared to cope with emerging health hazards such as Ebola.

Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General, Department Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand said that Thailand has formed the Global Health Security Agenda Committee which involves representatives from concerned ministries, including Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affair, Ministry of Defense and, Ministry of Interior. The committee has jointly prepared a guideline for offering assistance for participant countries, especially neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar. The assistance includes the areas of knowledge, experts, scholarship, training and laboratory diagnosis.

******************** 6 May 2015