Project News

On 29 June 2020, the 5th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting of the Partnership Project for Global Health and Universal Health Coverage (GLO+UHC) was held at the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Thailand.

This final JCC meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Advisor to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MOPH, and Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee, Deputy Secretary-General, National Health Security Office (NHSO). Due to the ongoing situation of COVID-19, the meeting was held as a teleconference between Thailand and Japan.

For a start, Dr. Takao Toda, Vice President for Human Security and Global Health, JICA made an opening remark to express his gratitude on the GLO+UHC's achievements throughout the first phase, and emphasized the importance of compatibility between UHC and global health security. Next, Dr. Jadej pointed out the importance of UHC as it can help Thailand coping with a pandemic outbreak like COVID-19. Then, Dr. Suwit gave his remark regarding Thailand and Japan's response to the pandemic, which contributed to health security issues worldwide, and also praised the project's achievements, especially the global level conferences and meetings such as Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC). Mr. Tomoya Yoshida, Deputy Director General, Human Development Department, Mr. Tatsuya Ashida, Director of Health Team 4 at JICA headquarters, and Ms. Katsura Miyazaki, Chief Representative of JICA Thailand office, also participated in the meeting.

The meeting was conducted to conclude the project's activities and achievements during the four years of its implementation. As a partnership project, this was a good opportunity for both sides to review the project outcomes, as well as its objectives and purposes, after the long-time cooperation. In addition, the meeting was held to discuss the arrangement of the project's next step, which is its 2nd phase. Thailand and Japan sides agreed to continue this close collaboration to strengthen UHC in both countries, and to promote UHC in other participating countries.

The 2nd phase of GLO+UHC project is planned to launch within October 2020.