Bangkok--15 Aug--Darwin Choice
The first time in Asia — ThaiHealth is poised to host the IUPHE World Conference during 25-29 August this year to advance the best investments for health to become global health agenda. At this event, more than 2,000 health promotion experts from over 80 countries will share their experiences and collectively seek the best health promotion mechanisms. At this event, field trips covering eight health routes have been organized to boast robustness of local health partners.
On 14 August, at event hall of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) held a press conference on the organization of the 21st IUHPE World Conference, which will be held at the PEACH Convention Center in Pattaya, Chonburi during 25-29 August.
On this occasion, Dr. Michael Sparks, President of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), said that the 21st IUHPE World Conference marks the first time this event is held in a developing country in Asia. Founded 62 years ago, IUHPE has been organizing this conference in a member country every three years on a rotating basis. ThaiHealth represents a principal member of IUHPE and Thailand is recognized as one of the key countries that has played vital roles in health promotion. At this conference, health promotion experts from all over the world will be in attendance, such as Dr. Sania Nishtar, Pakistan’s health minister; Dr. Daniel Weinstock from a research institute located at University of Montreal in Canada; Professor Anne Mills, an academic of health policy and economics; Dr. Viroj Tangcharoensathien from Thailand’s Public Health Ministry; and Ms. Somsuk Boonyabancha from the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights.
“Presently, global health promotion works faced problems stemming from development, and health promotion capacities differ from one country to another and in each region of the world. Global economic crisis has also adversely affected health promotion, resulting in decreased budgets catered to health promotion works and studies. All these issues will be analyzed and discussed to find solutions at the conference in Pattaya, so we can collectively identify what the best investments for health are and the principal investors,” Dr. Michael said.
Prof. Dr. Udomsilp Srisangnam, chairman of the organizing committee of the 21st IUHPE World Conference, said ThaiHealth and the City of Pattaya are principal hosts of this event in collaboration with four government agencies, including Ministry of Public Health, Health Systems Research Institute, National Health Commission Office and National Health Security Office. The event’s main theme is the best investments for health which reflects efficient and equitable investment and utilization of resources that will lead to improvement in public well-being. It is expected that more than 2,000 delegates from over 80 countries will attend the event to share learning experience so as to reinforce a strong platform to further drive health promotion to the forefront of global health agenda.
Prof. Dr. Udomsilp added there are various activities at this five-day conference, including academic and recreational activities as well as health wisdoms of Thailand and various countries around the world. Academic sessions, which will be held in 126 meeting rooms, feature nine main topics, including financial and fiscal innovations for health promotion, non-communicable diseases, health promotion systems, community empowerment, public participation, and so forth. In addition, the event also features 2,000 selected research abstracts and field trips with eight routes to different areas in nearby provinces showcasing health promotion models of ThaiHealth and network partners. Moreover, Thai Culture Night will be organized to disseminate health promotion wisdoms and innovations practiced by various partners in Thailand. It is expected that this event will help improve capacities of Thai staff and people in different regions, expand international networks, promote Thailand as a regional hub of health promotion and promote tourism in Thailand.
Pattaya Mayor Ittiphon Khunpleum said the City of Pattaya is delighted and honored to welcome all participants. Wellness promotion is one of the City of Pattaya’s management visions under the “Pattaya Healthy City” theme. At regional and global levels, Pattaya is also known for famous tourist destinations. To achieve this vision, Pattaya actively conserves its natural resources and environment by getting people involved and embracing public input. Additionally, the City of Pattaya also formulates policies and develops action plans to make Pattaya a livable city, including doctor outreach program; Pattaya City hospitals with 20,000- bed capacity; four dimensions of health development i.e. promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation; improved quality of life of elderly, disabled, and marginal groups; as well as refuse and pollution management. Pattaya is one of the health routes in field trips arranged for participants.