Japan to support Thailand as universal healthcare model in ASEAN

BANGKOK, November 27 (TNA) - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to support Thailand's development to become a model on universal healthcare services in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Dr. Toda Takeo, Chief of JICA's Human Resources Department, as well as Thailand's Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Somsak Attasilp and Acting Secretary-General of the National Security Health Office (NHSO) Dr. Prateep Thanakijjaroen jointly signed the Japanese-Thai academic cooperation agreement on universal healthcare and world health security in Bangkok on Friday. The agreement is aimed to promote academic cooperation between Japan and Thailand on health personnel development, paving the way for the Thai Kingdom to become a model of universal healthcare services among developing nations, especially those in ASEAN. The agreement focuses on the development of Thai heath officials' potential in order to help sustain universal healthcare services in Thailand and potential of regional health officials to sustain universal healthcare services in Asia, along with publicizing universal healthcare services in the international arena. Thailand's policy on universal healthcare services has been always recognised in the international community and has become outstanding in ASEAN for its strength on providing all citizens with universal healthcare services and access to needed public health services with least cost. (TNA)