Advancing Thailand–WHO Collaboration to Address Health Priorities in a New Context

Dr Catharina Boehme, Office-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, undertook an official visit to Thailand on 11–12 December 2025, marking Thailand as the second Member State she has visited in her current role.

Dr Catharina Boehme Highlights SAFE Financing and Thailand’s Global Leadership in UHC during Official Visit

A central highlight of the visit was Dr Boehme’s participation in the National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference 2025 in Bangkok, held under the theme “Ensuring SAFE Financing for UHC.” Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the WHO Director-General, Dr Boehme underscored the unprecedented strain facing health financing systems globally, driven by macro-fiscal pressure, chronic underinvestment, high out-of-pocket spending, population ageing, the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, and the escalating health impacts of climate change.

“Sustained and strategic reform is not optional — it is essential,” she emphasized, calling for health financing systems that are Sustainable, Adequate, Fair and Efficient (SAFE). She commended Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme, launched in 2002, as a global example of how political commitment, citizen engagement and coherent financing architecture can transform population health outcomes. With UHC now reaching the entire population, Thailand continues to inspire countries seeking to advance equity and financial protection.

Dr Catharina Boehme and Dr Ailan Li pay Courtesy Call on Thailand’s Minister of Public Health

During the visit, Dr Catharina Boehme, together with Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, and senior officials of the Ministry. Dr Boehme commended Thailand for its leadership in global health, noting the country’s active contributions to regional and international health agendas. Discussions further explored potential areas of collaborations on border health, including linkages to human rights, digital health, and healthy ageing with noncommunicable diseases.

The exchange also covered immunization including influenza vaccination and disease surveillance, as well as emergency preparedness and response, including post-flood health management with climate change recognized as a shared and escalating risk across the Region.

Dr Catharina Boehme and Dr Ailan Li visit Ramathibodi Poison Center to Strengthen Regional Health Security

On this occasion, Dr Catharina Boehme, together with Dr Ailan Li took the opportunity to visit the Ramathibodi Poison Center, a WHO Collaborating Centre since 2018, which plays a critical role in poisoning prevention and emergency response in Thailand and across the Region through its 24/7 national hotline.

The visit also highlighted the Center’s role in the Initiative for Coordinated Antidotes Procurement in the South-East Asia Region (iCAPS), which supports equitable access to life-saving antidotes and strengthens regional health security in line with the International Health Regulations. Through coordinated procurement, information sharing, and emergency response pathways, iCAPS addresses market and supply challenges associated with antidotes and enhances preparedness for poisoning emergencies across the Region.

Taken together, the visit reaffirmed Thailand’s robust public health capacity and its longstanding collaboration with the World Health Organization. Through continued discussions and technical cooperation, WHO acknowledged Thailand’s achievements and reaffirmed its ongoing engagement with national counterparts on promoting health, strengthening essential health services, and protecting populations from emerging threats—reinforcing Thailand’s role in global health leadership.