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<\/a><\/p>\nA central highlight of the visit was Dr Boehme\u2019s participation in the\u00a0National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference 2025<\/strong>\u00a0in Bangkok, held under the theme\u00a0\u201cEnsuring SAFE Financing for UHC.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the WHO Director-General, Dr Boehme underscored the unprecedented strain facing health financing systems globally, driven by macro-fiscal pressure, chronic underinvestment, high out-of-pocket spending, population ageing, the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, and the escalating health impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n \u201cSustained and strategic reform is not optional \u2014 it is essential,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she emphasized, calling for health financing systems that are Sustainable, Adequate, Fair and Efficient (SAFE). She commended Thailand\u2019s Universal Coverage Scheme, launched in 2002, as a global example of how political commitment, citizen engagement and coherent financing architecture can transform population health outcomes. With UHC now reaching the entire population, Thailand continues to inspire countries seeking to advance equity and financial protection.<\/p>\n During the visit, Dr Catharina Boehme, together with Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on\u00a0H.E. Mr Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health<\/strong>, and senior officials of the Ministry. Dr Boehme commended Thailand for its leadership in global health, noting the country\u2019s active contributions to regional and international health agendas. Discussions further explored potential areas of collaborations on border health, including linkages to human rights, digital health, and healthy ageing with noncommunicable diseases.<\/p>\n The exchange also covered immunization including influenza vaccination and disease surveillance, as well as emergency preparedness and response, including post-flood health management with climate change recognized as a shared and escalating risk across the Region.<\/p>\n On this occasion, Dr Catharina Boehme, together with Dr Ailan Li took the opportunity to visit the\u00a0Ramathibodi Poison Center<\/strong>, a WHO Collaborating Centre since 2018, which plays a critical role in poisoning prevention and emergency response in Thailand and across the Region through its 24\/7 national hotline.<\/p>\n The visit also highlighted the Center\u2019s role in\u00a0the Initiative for Coordinated Antidotes Procurement in the South-East Asia Region (iCAPS)<\/strong>, which supports equitable access to life-saving antidotes and strengthens regional health security in line with the International Health Regulations. Through coordinated procurement, information sharing, and emergency response pathways, iCAPS addresses market and supply challenges associated with antidotes and enhances preparedness for poisoning emergencies across the Region.<\/p>\n Taken together, the visit reaffirmed Thailand\u2019s robust public health capacity and its longstanding collaboration with the World Health Organization. Through continued discussions and technical cooperation, WHO acknowledged Thailand\u2019s achievements and reaffirmed its ongoing engagement with national counterparts on promoting health, strengthening essential health services, and protecting populations from emerging threats\u2014reinforcing Thailand\u2019s role in global health leadership.<\/p>\n Source: World Health Organization (WHO)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/p>\n