Project News

On the 27th July 2022, the 2nd Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting of the Partnership Project for Global Health and Universal Health Coverage Phase 2 was held online.

Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, Advisor to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and Mr. Takahiro Morita, Chief Representative of JICA Thailand Office, gave opening remarks, stating the cooperation and contribution of GLO+UHC project between Thailand and Japan, which has continued for more than six years since Phase 1, and extended their gratitude to all stakeholders for their support. Then, Dr. Takuma Kato, Chief Advisor of JICA Expert team, introduced his successor, Dr. Masato Izutsu, and the new expert Ms. Miki Seshimo.

At this meeting, which marked a halfway point in the Phase 2 cooperation term, IC Net Asia reported the results of mid-term review, carried out to evaluate the progress and accomplishment of the project up to first half of the term.

Towards the completion of the project, IC Net Asia mentioned that the most significant part in the project is to enhance and develop the partnership between Thailand and Japan. Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee (Secretary-General of National Health Security Office (NHSO)), Dr. Walaiporn Patcharanarumol (Director of Global Health Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, MOPH) and other JCC members agreed on that.

Subsequently, Dr. Kato provided a report on the progress of the project and the activity plan for the second half of the project. Dr. Wanicha Chuenkongkaew, leader of one of the working teams of the project activities, emphasized the importance of strengthening activities related to Interprofessional Education (IPE) to build a sustainable partnership between Thailand and Japan, and to empower the healthcare workforce.

Finally, Dr. Suwit stated that the planned invitation program for National Health Security Board (NHSB) members to Japan in November would be a great opportunity for the participants to learn Japan's health insurance system and primary health care system. He mentioned this invitation program will enable Thailand to develop its capacity on UHC and improve Thai healthcare system further. He closed the meeting by restating the importance of continuing to learn from each other's experiences.

We will continue to enhance the partnership between Thailand and Japan so as to improve both countries' UHC, support other countries to achieve UHC and to disseminate our experience and lessons learnt globally in the second half of the project period.