On November 11, 2022, at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, along with Dr. Yongyos Thamawut, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, and Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, opened the workshop on communicating the policies of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and developing the capacity of personnel involved in the protection and promotion of Thai traditional medicine knowledge in fiscal year 2023. The workshop aimed to communicate policies and exchange mechanisms for driving the work of Thai traditional medicine, Thai folk medicine, alternative medicine, and the protection and promotion of Thai traditional medicine knowledge. Participants included provincial public health officers (in their capacity as provincial registrars under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Knowledge Act B.E. 2542), heads of Thai traditional and alternative medicine groups in provincial public health offices, assistant provincial registrars, and personnel involved in Thai traditional medicine, alternative medicine, and the protection and promotion of Thai traditional medicine knowledge. The meeting was held both onsite and online, with a total of 230 participants.
Dr. Opas said that the Ministry of Public Health’s operational policy for the 2023 fiscal year is based on the concept of “Healthy Thais, Prosperous Thai Economy” (Health for Wealth), using health to drive the country’s economy. The goal is “A healthy population, a strong Thai economy, a strong Thailand.” Thai traditional medicine, alternative medicine, herbal medicine, Thai wisdom, and health tourism are key driving factors. According to data from 2020, the health tourism market had a total value of over US$4.4 trillion, with Thailand ranking among the top 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with a market value of US$29 billion. Furthermore, the consumption of herbal products in Thailand in 2022 reached 52,104.3 million baht. Supporting Thai traditional medicine, alternative medicine, herbal medicine, Thai wisdom, and health tourism, aiming to become an international medical hub, will not only create jobs, careers, and income for the people, benefiting the national economy, but also protect and preserve the valuable social and cultural heritage of Thai traditional medicine and herbal medicine.
Dr. Thongchai stated that the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is the main department driving the mission under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542 (1999), laws related to Thai herbs, and promoting the utilization of Thai traditional medicine and herbs to increase the country’s economic value. In 2023, the policy focused on four key areas: 1. Providing Thai traditional and alternative medicine services within the primary healthcare system in all areas; 2. Integrating herbal medicine production sources within the Ministry of Public Health to ensure quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Currently, there are 52 hospital-based herbal medicine manufacturing plants that meet WHO-GMP standards, emphasizing demand-supply matching and collaborative production within health zones; 3. Promoting and supporting the comprehensive use of cannabis and hemp in both the public and private sectors for health promotion, health products, cosmetics, and disease treatment, increasing the country’s economic value; and 4. Laying the foundation for human resource development towards the goal of Thailand becoming a leader in traditional medicine in Asia by 2027.
This will focus on improving the quality of public services and efficient, convenient communication through digital platforms. It will also promote the establishment of academic service centers for Thai traditional and alternative medicine in every health region to support collaboration with partner networks and regional service units in education, research, development, academic services, technology transfer, and human resource development.
Source – siamrath.co.th