Thailand’s rural doctors’ movement has been named one of the five recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Asia. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the honor on Aug 31, recognizing the group’s contribution to rural healthcare and its role in promoting social justice and citizens’ rights.
The Rural Doctor Society (RDS) and the Rural Doctor Foundation (RDF), which together form the movement, emerged in response to the shortage of medical professionals in rural Thailand during the 1960s. The group’s efforts have been instrumental in advocating for healthcare reforms and addressing inequalities in medical services nationwide.
Other recipients of this year’s award include Japanese anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Bhutanese educator Karma Phuntsho, Vietnamese physician Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, and Indonesian environmentalist Farwiza Farhan.
Miyazaki, the 83-year-old co-founder of Studio Ghibli, was recognized particularly for his influential work in animation, including Oscar-winning films such as Spirited Away. The foundation praised his ability to tackle complex issues through art, making them accessible to children. (NNT)
