Bhutan Policy Innovation Lab Visits Thailand’s NHCO to Explore Digital Innovation in Participatory Policy Processes
February 17, 2025, NHCO Bangkok, Thailand – The Bhutan Policy Innovation Lab visited Thailand’s National Health Commission Office (NHCO) on February 17, 2025, to explore digital innovation in participatory policy processes and learn from Thailand’s healthcare system.
The Bhutan delegation expressed particular interest in Thailand’s strategies for co-designing policies and best practices for strengthening the health system. The visit aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two organizations, with Bhutan seeking to adapt Thailand’s innovative approaches to its own healthcare challenges.
Thailand’s Healthcare System and Governance by Partnership
The meeting highlighted Thailand’s healthcare system, which is structured across multiple levels, including:
- Primary Health Care Level: Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospitals and Health Stations.
- First Level: Community Hospitals and Large Community Hospitals.
- Mid Level: Small General Hospitals.
- High Level: Centers of Excellence, Regional Hospitals, and General Hospitals.
The system is supported by a robust network of Village Health Volunteers, who play a critical role in bridging the gap between the government and the people. Despite having a well-established network of hospitals and a referral system, Thailand faces several social challenges that require collaboration among all stakeholders in society.
Thailand’s health system governance emphasizes partnership among various health agencies, including those focused on health promotion, health security, and participatory processes. The National Health Commission (NHC) serves as an advisory body to the cabinet, promoting participatory healthy public policies and ensuring inclusive decision-making.
Digital Innovation in Participatory Policy Processes
One of the highlights of the meeting was NHCO’s presentation on digital innovation in participatory policy processes. Key initiatives include:
- Hybrid Health Assemblies: Leveraging technology to increase participation in both upstream and downstream processes of the Thailand National Health Assembly (NHA). For example, over 60% of consultations for two agendas at the 17th National Health Assembly (NHA) in 2024 were conducted online.
- Data Tank on Driven Public Policy: A web-based program that enables stakeholders to monitor the implementation of NHA resolutions and enhances government accountability.
- SHARE (Social and Health: Area Resources Empowerment Project): A platform that allows four national government agencies to share social and health data, facilitating evidence-informed policymaking.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Thailand has made significant progress in digital innovation, challenges such as digital illiteracy, internet inaccessibility, and the need for more data analysts and user-friendly technology remain. These challenges were discussed as potential areas for collaboration between Bhutan and Thailand, with both nations exploring ways to address these issues collectively.