The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) presented its vision at the Joint Congress 2024, themed “Self-care in Healthcare: A Shared Vision,” held from 13-15 November 2024, at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. The event, a collaboration between the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), Asia Pacific Self-Medication Industry (APSMI), and the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of Thailand, aimed to exchange insights and experiences on promoting governance and policies related to self-care in healthcare among public and private sector stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Withid Sariddeechaikool, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, delivered a keynote speech alongside Dr. Manoj Jhalani, Director of the Department of UHC and Health Systems at WHO SEARO, during the opening ceremony. He remarks highlighted the pivotal role of self-care in preventing diseases, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a pressing health challenge of today. Dr. Withid emphasized the significance of integrating traditional medicine into preventive health strategies and underscored the transformative potential of digital health technologies in empowering individuals to effectively manage their health.
The Joint Congress 2024 served as a vital regional platform, bringing together government and private sector representatives and public health experts from across Asia-Pacific. The event facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experiences to promote self-care within public health systems. Participants included officials from Asia-Pacific governments, private sector representatives with critical roles in healthcare systems, and experts aiming to foster regional collaboration in developing inclusive and effective self-care initiatives.
This seminar underscored the FDA's commitment and that of its partners to building healthcare systems that prioritize self-care. It aligns with sustainable public health development goals in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
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Published on 21 November 2024