ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers' Special Meeting on Ebola Preparedness and Response held in Bangkok Dec 14-15

BANGKOK, December 15 (TNA) - Public Health Ministers and relevant authorities from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 10-member bloc's three dialogue partners, including China, Japan and South Korea, are gathering in Bangkok for the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers' Special Meeting on Ebola Preparedness and Response, set from December 14-15. Inaugurating the two-day regional forum at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in the Thai capital on Monday morning, in which ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh also participated, Prime Minister General Prayut said Ebola is a big challenge to not only public health, but also worldwide economies. The Thai prime minister urged relevant authorities in the region to, thus, cope with the deadly virus by informing people of the health threat straightforwardly, activating efficient surveillance and alarming systems, updating and exchanging information and enhancing the capacities of medical and health services. The Thai premier also praised the international community for fully helping Ebola-stricken countries and assured that Thailand is raising more assistance for them. According to the Thai prime minister, Thailand has resources to cope with Ebola, including surveillance networks, diagnosis units and authorities who can make swift decisions to contain the fatal disease. The Thai leader noted that the Thai Ministry of Public Health takes the lead in responses to the deadly virus, while also informing the general public on facts and supporting relevant medical researches. Besides, Thai public health staffs have watched out for possible patients at border checkpoints and monitored suspected patients. (TNA)