Thailand’s Department of Health launched a nation-wide on healthy city initiative in the country as of November 2021, and has recently accredited a total of 108 municipalities, from 12 health districts, as healthy cities. Amongst the cities awarded on 18th August, there were a total of14 gold awardees, 39 silver awardees, and 55 bronze awardees.
This initiative stems from the government’s concern on the state of health in the cities, including issues of sanitation, waste management, water management, air and noise pollution etc. To align with and achieve standards in international protocols such as the Ottawa Charter, Shanghai Declaration, Social Development Goals, the country has rolled out national protocol and measures such as the twenty-year plan and the Department of Health’s strategic aim to foster an environment which supports healthy lives for citizens which comprises: i) Healthy Environment, ii) Healthy Settings, and iii) Healthy People. It is an ongoing campaign, where municipalities in Thailand are encouraged to participate in the annual accreditation.
Sharing on Thailand’s Healthy City initiative during the Capacity Building Workshop on 30 Nov – 1 Dec hosted by Thailand’s Department of Health
These indicators in Thailand’s Healthy City initiative aligns with the Regional Laboratory for UGHW’s in aspects of public space, waste management, and all type of pollutions control. Thailand’s Healthy City initiative also addresses issues of public hazard; UGHW’s assessment further explores socioeconomic dimensions which affect population well-being. While the indicators on the political dimension differ – Thailand’s Healthy City initiative looks at current policies in place while UGHW looks at the capabilities of governance for sustained development – both initiatives are aligned on the importance of institutional markers and mechanisms to facilitate health and well-being in cities.
The Regional Laboratory for UGHW strongly supports such national efforts that have been established in Thailand and Indonesia, and is committed to continued collaboration with national governments, local governments, and community partners to advance health and well-being in cities in the South-East Asia region.
