“Charting the Course to Sustainable Universal Health Coverage: Insights from Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry”

H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health

– H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs

– Senior representatives from the Ministry of Public Health

– Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

– Partners, Colleagues, and Friends,

A splendid afternoon to everyone.

As we recognize, SDG Target 3.8 urges us to realize Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

UHC’s objective is to guarantee that all individuals access the fundamental health-care services they require without encountering financial distress, alongside access to vital medicines and vaccines for everyone.

This stands as a core aim of health frameworks globally, promoting health equity and accessibility.

UHC encompasses the entire spectrum of essential health services, spanning health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care throughout a person’s life.

The World Health Organization, along with our South-East Asia Regional Office, takes pride in being involved in this crucial initiative to foster well-being for all age groups.

Health promotion involves empowering individuals to gain greater control over and enhance their health. It extends beyond merely individual behaviors, incorporating a variety of social and environmental strategies.

Health promotion can improve UHC in multiple ways.

One approach focuses on prevention rather than treatment. This can be achieved through health education and modifications in lifestyle, thereby alleviating the strain on health systems and averting expensive treatments for conditions that could be prevented.

Another aspect is to ensure that access is equitable by raising awareness and rendering preventive care available to marginalized or underserved groups. Concentrating on these communities is, indeed, one of the foundational elements of our Regional Roadmap for the South-East Asia region.

Furthermore, health promotion is vital in equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge and resources to manage their own health. This empowerment is an essential part of UHC. It diminishes dependence on formal health systems, enhances health literacy, and cultivates a supportive environment for healthy living.

Moreover, proficient health promotion can aid in diminishing health care expenses. By advancing preventive strategies, health promotion can mitigate chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which necessitate costly long-term care.

By decreasing these expenses, health systems can be strengthened to provide essential services to a larger population.  Investing in health promotion, along with preventive measures such as immunization campaigns, results in long-lasting savings by lessening the need for hospitalizations and expensive medical treatments.

On a global scale, effective health promotion has demonstrated the capacity to create a healthier workforce, resulting in lowered absenteeism and enhanced productivity. A healthier populace also minimizes economic pressures stemming from disabilities or premature deaths.

Distinguished guests,

For genuine transformation in UHC towards equitable health, health promotion must be incorporated within national health strategies. We need to invest in it, ensuring it receives the same attention as curative and emergency care. It is imperative that we advocate for policies that embed health and well-being across all sectors – such as housing, transportation, and beyond.

The yield on investment for effective health promotion can be considerable, encompassing economic advantages and long-term financial and social improvements. Initiatives targeting social determinants promote an active and more fruitful population. Consequently, this enhances the quality of life while diminishing inequality. No other health interventions can match the effectiveness of fostering social well-being. 

Although I am unable to speak with you in person today, I recently attended Thailand’s National Health Assembly, where I observed the impact of robust multisectoral collaboration. UHC is unattainable without the backing of society as a whole, and gatherings like your Health Assembly exemplify social engagement and public participation.

As I wrap up, I want to reaffirm our dedication to supporting you in your quest for sustainable UHC through health promotion. We stand with you as the WHO and as the South-East Asia Regional Office – and I assure you of our partnership and collaboration in your endeavors.

Thank you.