The World Health Organization has highlighted several notable accomplishments by health agencies in Thailand in their COVID-19 response, urging Thailand to work together with the WHO to create a joint database and extend outbreak surveillance, in preparation for a possible new wave of infections.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, along with the WHO Representative to Thailand Dr Daniel Kertesz, announced outcomes from the the Joint Intra-Action Review of Thailand’s COVID-19 response between the WHO, the Ministry of Public Health and other agencies, which was convened in July.
Dr Daniel said the review’s recommendations focus on enhancing coordination, improving surveillance and data systems for COVID-19, and strengthening and protecting the health workforce.
The Intra-Action Review (IAR) was held to review COVID-19 response operations in the first six months of the pandemic in Thailand, according to WHO’s recommendations. The IAR provided recommendations to help strengthen Thailand’s response to COVID-19 such as a national-level evaluation, community participation, disease surveillance, investigation, and contact tracing, as well as laboratory management.
The WHO Thailand representative said that addressing these recommendations quickly will ensure an even more effective response to future waves of COVID-19 in Thailand.
The Minister of Public Health said Thailand is the first country to join IAR, which indicates the country’s robust public health system, inclusive availability of health resources, swift management at hospitals, and the preparedness of local disease investigation teams as key factors in the country’s successful COVID-19 response.
