Project News

On the 29th April 2014, the 3rd Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) was held at Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). From Thai side, MOPH, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, Health Insurance System Research Institute, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, TICA and related stakeholders have joined. From Japan side, Embassy of Japan in Thailand and JICA Thailand office have attended.

The Chair, Dr. Chanvit Tharathep, Deputy Permanent Secretary from MOPH has delivered the opening speech with mentioning that LTOP model services will finally start in the next term. Then, Mr. Enomoto, LTOP Chief Advisor has shared the progress of the term and the plan for the next term and they were confirmed.

Summary of the report is as below.

(1) Progress of the previous term(August 2013-April 2014)

Activities on Model Services
Kick-off meeting of model services at central, Workshop for Care managers and Dispatch of short-term experts on model services and Data Collection/Analysis, etc.

Activities on Policy Recommendation
1st Policy Discussion Group Seminar, Japan-Thai Meeting to discuss about the future of LTOP and Dispatch of short-term experts on policy discussion, etc.

Activities on Human Resource Development
Care Management training in Japan and Care worker training in Thailand were conducted.

(2) Plan in the next term (April 2014-September 2014)

The first Kick-off meeting to start model service in Nakhon Ratchasima site is planned on the 1st of May 2014, and other sites will follow. From Site coordinators of Nonthaburi site and Surat Thani site, it was mentioned that their sites are almost ready to open services, and interested in conducting kick-off meetings sometime soon. Chiang Rai and Khon Kaen site may start soon at least partially. The chair, Dr. Chanvit has advised to participants that each site should have common services and different site-based services so that they can compare their model services. LTOP Project has just started project Facebook to facilitate their information exchange through online.
Regarding policy recommendation and human resource development, the Project plans to conduct 2nd Policy Discussion Group Seminar (July), Policy training in Japan (July), Care management training in Japan (September), Care worker training in Thailand (August).

(3) Budget report and plan including cost-share between Thai-Japan side

Budget report and plan including cost-share between Thai side and JICA has shared and confirmed. Dr. Chanvit has advised to Thai side participants that as shown in the minutes, Thai side should prepare the budget accordingly.
Finally, Mr. Kinoshita Yasumitsu, Senior Representative from JICA Thailand office, has mentioned in his closing speech that he has witnessed Thai stakeholders tried their best to utilize what they have learnt from Japan and it was very impressive. He recommended to conduct the activities accordingly to the plan as agreed today.

Dr. Chanvit (Chair) delivers opening speech (3rd from the left)

Scene from the meeting