Roadmaps and Recommendations on Strategic Actions for a Healthy Aging Society proposed to key Ministries at the Policy Forum organized by NHCO.
The National Health Commission Office (NHCO) organized the policy forum on 22nd November 2023 to consult and present the implementation roadmaps and the recommendations on strategic actions for healthy aging society to key Ministries in charge of the healthy aging society namely the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Interior.
Concerning a projection of an increasing number of elderly populations to 28% and becoming a super-aged society by the next decade, NHCO collaborated with the Department of Older Person (DOP), the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to organize the National Senior Assembly in April 2023.
According to the Assembly, the process of drafting roadmaps of the National Senior Assembly’s resolutions and the recommendations for strategic actions were initiated with the financial support from World Health Organization, Thailand Country Office.
The NHCO then organized the policy forum to present and discuss on the draft roadmaps of the National Senior Assembly’s resolutions and the recommendations to key responsible Ministries and stakeholders. The recommendation was summarized into five recommendations as follows:
- Establishment of the integrated mechanisms to drive the integrated plan for supporting an aging society in 3 levels that are the national, provincial and local levels.
- Engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) related to older persons and/or an aging society in the 3-level integrated mechanisms as mentioned in strategic action number one.
- Ensuring regular inclusive participation on this agenda by organizing a National Senior Assembly to support the healthy aging society.
- Integration of Social Service and Health Service Systems
- Elderly related data integration
Ms.Busaya Jaisawang, Deputy Director-General of Department of Older Persons (DOP), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) said that the DOP aligned itself with the three National Senior Assembly resolutions that are 1) the management of integrated government work plans for effective support of an ageing society 2) the development of integrated system and mechanism in social and health services for the senior citizens development in Thailand 3) the technology and innovation to support an ageing society.
As the main host of this agenda which is assigned by the government, DOP cannot work alone to achieve the resolutions because the resolutions are associated with multiple actors from the family, community, local government and national government levels. Achievement of the resolutions requires collaborative efforts with relevant organizations. The 3-level integrated mechanisms as recommended are necessary to drive all three resolutions forward and facilitate a meaningful participation of multiple actors at all levels.
Dr. Suthep Petchmark, Secretary-General of National Health Commission, supported the statement of Deputy Director-General of DOP on joint efforts to create a healthy aging society. Dr. Suthep emphasized the role of the NHCO as a policy facilitator to connect and coordinate key actors from government, private sector and civil societies to integrate their work and drive the resolutions. He also placed importance of engaging civil societies and communities in the policy process especially on the agenda of a healthy aging society because the majority of senior citizens in Thailand are still active and healthy.
Mr. Korawoot Banyongwarapinij, Director of Local Administrative Development Division, Department of Local Administration (DLA), Ministry of Interior shared the work plan to the policy forum that DLA was planning to organize a meeting of 40 local governments around 500 people to discuss on how the local government develop a supportive system in support of a healthy aging society. This would respond to the recommendation on integration of social service and health service systems.
He also affirmed that he would present the three resolutions and the roadmaps to the local governments and consult them how they incorporate into their plans.
To Download A Policy Brief on Strategic Actions for a Healthy Ageing Society of Thailand through Social Participation click here