{"id":1339,"date":"2019-12-02T18:19:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T11:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=1339"},"modified":"2023-03-29T16:37:14","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T09:37:14","slug":"thailand-ranks-6th-for-the-worlds-strongest-health-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/thailand-ranks-6th-for-the-worlds-strongest-health-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand ranks 6th for the world’s strongest health security"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thailand is known for many great things, including its rich culture and history, food and festivals, impressive mountain ranges, majestic beaches, and last but not least, its excellent health security.<\/p>\n

Health is considered an important component of the quality of life in Thailand. When there is news relating to an infectious epidemic happening in Thailand or in a neighboring country, the population and healthcare<\/a> system generally take extreme precautions to prevent the spread of infection. This is well reflected in Thailand\u2019s high health security ranking, according to the 2019 Global Security Index Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this article by Pacific Prime Thailand<\/a>, we will explore the significance of this ranking and understand why it is important for countries around the world to have strong health security.<\/p>\n

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What is health security?<\/h2>\n

Health security<\/a> is defined as the activities required to minimize the danger and impact of acute public health events, like flu epidemics, that endanger the collective health of people living across geographical regions and international boundaries. People in all countries should also be able to access health services without any obstacles when they are ill and in need of medical care.<\/p>\n

Thailand\u2019s strong health security<\/h2>\n

According to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Thailand is ranked sixth<\/a> among a total of 195 countries for the world\u2019s strongest health security. Incredibly so, the country is also Asia\u2019s number one and only developing country on the world\u2019s top ten list. The country scored 73.2 out of 100 points, with the United States topping the list with 83.5. Thailand is the only non-high-income country in the top tier for overall score.<\/p>\n

Aside from having a substantially high ranking for an Asian country, Thailand is also ranked third for prevention of the emergence or release of pathogens, fifth for rapid response to and mitigation of the spread, and second for sufficient and robust health system to treat the sick, and protect the health of workers.<\/p>\n

Thailand: an exemplar in preventing epidemics<\/h2>\n

Many people may recall from May to July 2015, the deadly outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea, which infected 186 people and lead to 38 deaths. Public health experts and leaders in Asia and around the world anxiously monitored a frightening and deadly outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea.<\/p>\n

On June 18 of that year, Thailand notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of its first confirmed case\u2014a 75-year-old man who had traveled from Oman to Bangkok. Initially, there were substantial concerns that the disease would start spreading, however, Thailand was able to stop its first MERS case and prevented an epidemic.<\/p>\n

Thailand\u2019s success in identifying and stopping MERS is just one fine example of both the value of health security capacity building and the critical role of a strong healthcare system in stopping outbreaks at the source.<\/p>\n

What makes Thailand such a strong performer?<\/h3>\n

Thailand has robust healthcare capacities that give it the ability to identify and stop infectious diseases like MERS. Also, the country demonstrates an effective system for monitoring and tracking healthcare-associated infections.<\/p>\n

Beyond Thailand\u2019s healthcare system, Thailand has a prominent field epidemiology training program and national laboratory testing system. These facilities and networks work together at both national and sub-national levels. Their robust electronic reporting surveillance system allows them to rapidly collect laboratory and epidemiological information for use in tackling epidemics.<\/p>\n

Vaccinations and medication for travelers to Thailand<\/h2>\n

Although you can rest assured that the healthcare system in Thailand is effective when it comes to responding to and halting epidemics, it advisable to take precautions by ensuring you are up to date with your vaccinations and medications before your travels.<\/p>\n

The following is a non-exhaustive list of recommendations that you may want to consider discussing with your local general practitioner or travel specialist nurse:<\/p>\n