On 31 January 2018, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, on the occasion of his visit to Thailand as one of the co-hosts of the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC).

          Dr. Ghebreyesus commended and expressed his appreciation of Thailand’s role in supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and medical tourism. As a developing country, Thailand has proven that UHC is viable, and the WHO wishes to learn from Thailand’s expertise and as a role model for best practices. During Dr. Ghebreyesus’ term, the WHO’s priorities include implementing UHC with particular focus on primary health care at the community level, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), physical activity, child and maternal health, and health emergencies. Dr. Ghebreyesus also expressed his appreciation of Thailand’s continued support of the WHO through financial contributions and     in-kind contributions, such as sending effective emergency response teams and medical teams to help other countries e.g. the Nepal earthquake.

          The Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the WHO for its continued support of Thailand’s efforts and stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs works closely with the Ministry of Public Health on global health issues. Under Thailand’s chairmanship of the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative (FPGH) in 2017, Thailand successfully raised awareness of UHC through a resolution proclaiming and inviting all to observe 12 December as International UHC Day. The Thai side also looks forward to further cooperation with the WHO in the field of active ageing under Thailand’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019, as Thailand aims to establish an ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) in Thailand by 2019. The WHO also expressed its willingness to render support for Thailand in this endeavor.