The Thai government is patting itself on the back again, with a spokesperson saying officials have been praised by the World Health Organisation. Traisuree Taisaranakul says the administration has been cited as a “role model” for its management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was speaking after a meeting between the health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghrebreyesus, and the WHO’s regional director for Southeast Asia, Poonam Khetrapal Singh. According to a Nation Thailand report, the meeting took place at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Traisuree says both Ghrebreyesus and Singh praised Thailand for its handling of Covid-19.
“The WHO will use Thailand’s Covid-19 management as a role model to create an international standard for disease management worldwide.”
According to Traisuree, the WHO also praised Thailand’s vaccine rollout, with over 81% of people having now received their first dose and over 75% having received their second. The organisation has also thanked Thailand for participating in various projects, including the “WHO Biohub”, a system for the research and development of vaccines to target emerging diseases.
It’s understood Anutin has invited Ghrebreyesus to a high-level meeting on health and the economy in Bangkok. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation will take place in the capital from August 22 to 26. During that period, Thailand will also open the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.
According to the Nation Thailand report, Anutin has thanked the WHO for nominating Thailand as a pilot country for its Universal Health and Preparedness Review, between April 21 and 29. Anutin says the country is ready to share its UHPR experience with other countries.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand