Thai-US Partnership Strengthens Healthcare Investments in Eastern Economic Corridor

Paraguay has received the final disbursement of $1,992,733 from the Government of China (Taiwan) for the project 'Improvement of the quality of care in establishments of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare'. This funding has allowed for the successful expansion of the Health Information System (HIS) to more services throughout the country, significantly improving patient care processes in healthcare establishments [b8aacd6c].

Taiwan is working to enhance its immunization policy to address challenges such as incorporating new vaccines into the routine schedule and ensuring sufficient funding for the National Vaccine Fund. The government aims to raise public awareness and foster shared decision-making by providing detailed vaccine information and drawing inspiration from other countries' immunization websites [7dbdeb83].

The United States has donated four mobile vaccination clinics to the Lao People's Democratic Republic to improve vaccination coverage in remote districts. The clinics, based on Toyota Landcruisers, will be used by district health teams in Bokeo, Luangprabang, Phongsaly, and Huaphanh Provinces to provide access to vaccination and other healthcare services for over 300 remote villages. The donation, worth 2.3 billion Lao Kip (US $113,000), was made through the World Health Organization and will support COVID-19 and routine immunization outreach efforts in hard-to-reach areas. The clinics will also be used to transport people with serious health issues, including severe COVID-19 symptoms, and to provide maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, and family planning advice. The remote districts in the four provinces face challenges in accessing healthcare services due to limited infrastructure and difficult terrain. The United States aims to protect the well-being of the people of Laos and stimulate the local economy through this partnership. The donation is part of the ongoing support provided by the U.S. Government to health and pandemic response in Laos, including cold chain strengthening, COVID-19 vaccine doses, and medical equipment [9034114f].

The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Union (EU) have successfully supported Indonesia's emergency COVID-19 response through the 'Southeast Asia Health Pandemic Response and Preparedness' project. The three-year initiative focused on building health system resilience and increasing access to essential health services in Indonesia. The project enabled WHO and the Indonesian Ministry of Health to strengthen health system resilience and minimize disruptions of essential health services, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups. The initiative also established multi-stakeholder mechanisms to strengthen Indonesia's pandemic preparedness and response strategies. It helped establish a national laboratory information management system and empowered healthcare professionals across Indonesia to maintain access to quality and essential health services. The partnership between WHO and the EU aligns with Indonesia's national health transformation agenda and will provide lasting benefits for future health crises. WHO will continue to work with the Government of Indonesia to strengthen its laboratory network, enhance surveillance, and intensify inter-sectoral coordination [18021a7d].

FHI 360 in Thailand works with the government and community-based organizations to strengthen HIV services for key populations. They have supported laboratories in improving their diagnostic services and gaining accreditation. FHI 360 also established a Product Quality and Compliance laboratory in Bangkok to test medical devices. They are involved in combating dangerous language and misinformation online through the Networks for Peace project. FHI 360 is conducting research and coordinating with partners to address air pollution and promote circular economy models. They work on democracy and governance programs, economic opportunity, climate action, health crises, nutrition and food security in Thailand. FHI 360 is a global organization that aims to provide opportunities for people to lead healthy lives [de1afeed].

In the mid-1990s, Taiwanese politicians established a national health insurance system that is now admired by many countries. The system is a single-payer, government-subsidized, mandatory program that provides affordable and decent care. Despite some flaws, it is considered to be awesome [2de2278f].

A joint venture is underway between Thailand and the US to boost investments within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and support healthcare services for both ageing and young populations. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation forecasts rapid growth in the medical equipment market due to Thailand's shift into an aged society in 2022. The EEC Office's secretary-general, Chula Sukmanop, highlighted the need for increased investment and new technological advancements for medical examinations and treatments. The US currently holds the position of the third-largest investor within the EEC, with total investments of 44 billion baht. The joint venture aims to assist American healthcare companies in expanding their investments in Thailand. [56455acc]

The Chinese government has awarded $4.1 million (equivalent to 151 million baht) for 18 local projects in Thailand under the 2021 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (MLCSF). The funding will be used to enhance living conditions in the Mekong sub-region and support sectors such as sustainable development, agriculture, food safety, and environmental protection. The projects were selected from a total of 106 proposals and will contribute to the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The MLCSF is supporting a total of 112 projects across six countries, with Thailand receiving approximately 748 million baht from 2017 to 2023. The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand expressed willingness to work with Thailand to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations and build a shared future for stability, prosperity, and sustainability [eab022ae].