BANGKOK, 23 June 2012 – The Public Health Ministry has expressed its readiness to host this year’s ASEAN Health Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for early July.
Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said that Thailand will play host to all health ministers and officials from the Southeast Asian nations, who will descend on Phuket for the 11th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting and related Meetings during July 2nd and 6th.
The title of the biennial regional meeting is “ASEAN Community 2015: Opportunities and Challenges to Health”.
Mr. Wittaya said that this year’s gathering will discuss measures to prevent any possible health problems, which could emerge from the establishment of the ASEAN Community and the closer alliance with China, Japan and South Korea, where a total of 2 billion populations or one-third of the global population now live.
Minister Wittaya added that the regional gathering in Thailand will also reemphasize all nations’ determination to come up with sustainable health solutions.
He added that there are 5 main topics of discussion in Phuket, including the prevention of non-communicable diseases, the reduction of tobacco and smoking, the establishment of a universal healthcare service, the control of HIV/AIDS and the preparation for future health emergencies.
Apart from health ministers and health officials from 13 related countries, nearly 200 noted academics from ASEAN nations have also confirmed to attend the 5-day meeting.
