“We all can witness that the world had a weakness and was not well prepared for large outbreaks or pandemics. Gaps in performance and the capabilities required for fighting against COVID-19 and other pandemics are not well recognized. This kind of public health threat can have a wide range of impacts on health security and the global socio-economic system. Thailand is one of many countries receiving support from GIZ to implement the project ‘Capacity Needs Assessment on Core Public Health Emergencies, including COVID-19 among ASEAN countries. This project offers us the opportunity to explore the core capacity that needs to be strengthened to respond to public health emergencies in a more effective manner. This is one example of the valuable projects which we will be discussing during the two-day meeting,”

Dr. Soawapak Hinjoy, Director of the Office of International Cooperation, Department of Disease Control, the representative of Thailand Ministry of Public Health said on the Regional Consultative Meeting on Strengthening Regional Initiatives in ASEAN on the COVID-19 Response and other Public Health Emergencies in Bangkok which hosted by The Health Division of the ASEAN Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ Thailand.

the meeting aimed to present and reflect on the outcome and achievements of the project “Strengthening Regional Initiatives in ASEAN on the COVID-19 Response and other Public Health Emergencies”, and discuss recommendations and way forward, as a  contribution to the implementation of relevant ASEAN policy and strategy on public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in the ASEAN region beyond COVID-19.

information by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

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