Role of WHO in the development of country health programming in Thailand

Abstract

Role of WHO in the development of country health programming in ThailandA study based upon literature review of WHO assistance to Thailand in health development planning has been made. A brief background information of national efforts in formulation of the mediumterm economic and social development plan was documented particularly from the first to the third plan before the advent of WHO's technical collaboration in country health programming. With the establishment of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) all concerned sectors has assumed new role and responsibility in development planning since the beginning of the first plan in 1960's. After the Health Planning Division was set up under the Office of Permanent Secretary in the year 1973, the Ministry of Public Health had indulged in reinventing the overall process of health development planning to really addressing the country's priority health problems. Beginning with a provincial planning exercise called Project Systems Analysis (PSA) in Chonburi Province, the Country Health Programming (CHP) principles and methodologies were applied during the formulation of the 4th five-year National Health Development Plan and also during the successive plan. WHO's concept and strategies for HFA/2000 through primary health care had been addressed in the process of health development planning and had been a tool for promoting intersectional collaboration in health and quality of life development through basic minimum needs (BMN' s) approach. It could be said that the systematic, problem-based and people oriented country health planning and programming under WHO technical collaboration has been instrumental for national health development. This could been in increasing recognition of health and social development with corresponding increase of annual budget allocated for the social sector. Overall health system and its managerial process have also been reoriented to address the needs of the underprivileged population, particularly to address the needs of the underprivileged population, particularly those residing in rural areas, more efficiently and effectively. Gradual decentralization of authorities and responsibilities to the provincial and district administrations with increasing role of the people themselves in village-based self managed PHC projects which has increased people's potential and realization of their capabilities in planning for their own future which are essential groundwork for social development. It is quite encouraging to observe the success of "enterprising minded" village leaders who, through a series for trial and error running of their small drug cooperatives or village development funds, now one village cooperatives or communal funds in several million Baht and could cater for health and welfare's as well as annual profits for their members. In facing the heavy turbulence of the bubble economy His Majesty' s Royal initiatives in propagating self-contained integrated farming throughout the Kingdom and the promotion of subsistence economy were the key strategies for rural reconstruction whereby the people with "awakening spirit" could well be mobilized for national development.