Story of the Month

Representatives of political parties and academics discussed health policies of political parties at the Krungthep Trakij Forum. Three political parties presented their populist health policies. The Democrat Party has seven policies for system improvement and a long-term health finance master plan. The Bhumjaithai Party focuses on...

Cabinet’s Plan for more doctors to improve primary health care

The chair of the Health Workforce Commission supports the cabinet resolution to produce more health personnel for local hospitals at the level of sub-district nationwide. He points out that it will improve primary health care for people and suggests the next government work out comprehensive...

Nakhon Pathom is piloting provincial integration for the sake of national reform.

To support national reform, authorities in Nakhon Pathom province had their first meeting on 3 May 2011, to work out a provincial integration plan for its future. The concerned parties that attended the meeting were Mahidol University, Silpakorn University, provincial health office, a conservation club...

Encouraging working mothers for breastfeeding

On 12 April 2011, The Cabinet adopted the  resolution of the 3rd National Health Assembly  (NHA)  to promote breastfeeding. The essence of this resolution is the extension of maternal leave from 90 days to 180 days and the control of food marketing strategy for infants...

Health Impact from Gold Mining in Loei Province disclosed

The cabinet resolution on 8 February 2011 demanded that Ministry of Industry slow down the issue of mineral lease of Tungkum Company Limited on plot no. 104/2538 and others until the report on contamination; worthiness of natural resources and mineral royalty ; self-reliance of livelihood...

SIRNet joined the 2nd AP-HealthGAEN in Australia

Thailand’s Social Inequity Reduction Network (SIRNet), led by the National Health Commission Office, joined the 2nd Regional Steering Group of the Global Action for Health Equity Network in Asia Pacific (AP-HealthGAEN) during 4-5 April 2011, in Canberra, Australia, to review progress on the AP-HealthGAEN workplan,...

National Health Commission banned the import of asbestos

An anti-asbestos campaign worldwide resulted in ceasing of the import and production of asbestos in 60 countries including EU, USA, Australia, Japan and Korea. Thai academia together with civil society including the consumer protection network revealed health hazards from asbestos exposure especially chrysotile which causes...

Mekong Residents Reach Out To River’s Ailing Spirit

Villagers fear the worst as the Xayaburi Dam project in Laos took shape by Piyaporn Wongruang, Bangkok Post dated 13 March 2011. The Mekong River looks a pale imitation of the mighty waterway it once was. The water flows sluggishly in a channel which has shrunken...

Cigarette tax raised to decrease new smokers

The director of Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, has confirmed the raise of cigarette tax to decrease numbers of smokers, stated Dr Nopporn Cheunklin, Deputy director of Department of Disease Control after the recent consultation. The higher price, the lesser smokers because cigarette is a sensitive...

Eight agenda topics proposed to reform in Thailand

Eight proposals formulated in the 1st National Reform Assembly were submitted to Prof. Dr. Prawase Wasi, chairperson of the National Reform Assembly Committee and Mr. Anand Panyarachun, chairperson of the National Reform Committee on 26th March, 2011. The 8 proposals include: 1.    Fair and sustainable land...