Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. To deliver on this promise, countries need to have strong, efficient and equitable health systems. Every country has a different path to achieving UHC and to decide what to cover based on the needs of their populations and the resources at hand.

Challenges

At the same time, health and well-being are also influenced by factors outside of the health sector, namely the overlapping and intersectional social, structural, economic, political, environmental and commercial determinants of health.

Despite the progress made in health, the 21st century is also marked by parallel, overlapping and connected crises on a global scale, such as major pandemics, rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), social and political fluctuations, economic instability, extreme weather conditions, increasing inequities with a direct impact on the health of individuals and communities. Such crises reinforce each other, exacerbate health inequities and hinder progress towards achieving UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Health Promotion

Health promotion is being recognized as an essential components of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It is rooted in equitable and sustainable economic, environmental and social development, as well as a positive view of health. Health promotion addresses the determinants of health so as to create a substantial health gain for the people.

Effective health promotion

Ottawa Charter (1986) declared five action areas for effective health promotion, including

1. build healthy public policy
2. create supportive environments for health
3. strengthen community action for health
4. develop personal skills, and
5. re-orient health services

Thai UHC Journey Workshop

Therefore, the 4th edition of the Thai UHC Journey Workshop will be held under the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path Towards Sustainable Health and Well-being.” This international workshop is co-hosted by key health organizations in Thailand, composing of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) and the International Health Policy Program Foundation (IHPF) in collaboration with the ThaiHealth Academy (THA), the Enhancing Leadership on Global Health-Thailand Program under the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS-EnLIGHT). The Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024 will be held between November 4-8, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aim of the workshop

• Provide a platform for experience sharing and networking on promoting health and well-being for all
• Understand and realize importance of health promotion : Build capacity of participants from LMICs to understand and realize importance of health promotion as an essential component of UHC.
• Take action based on country contexts : Furthermore, the workshop expects the participants to apply the knowledge gained and capacity to make real actions based on their country contexts.