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Published on November 2, 2007

He said it would be a key mechanism in protecting members of the public on health issues.

The content of the draft will be decided after the current two-day conference, organised by the National Health Commission Office, which ends today.

The meeting was called to hear the opinions of people across the country about the content of national health statute. About 1,400 attended.

Amphon said the conference was also debating the establishment of the national health statute, along with the health assembly, the development of a public health policy, and knowledge management on public health issues.

He said all the opinions from the conference would be submitted to the first meeting of the National Health Committee . The first meeting will be held on November 23.

The statute is expected to be implemented next year and the first National Health Assembly would be organised in December 2008, he said.

The statute would be a new channel for the public to voice their concerns on health issues and an opportunity to participate or share opinions on public health policy.

Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert, the Public Health Ministry's senior advisor, expects the new statute will be a key instrument for members of the public to resolve their own health problems by using social enforcement.

"We have to encourage people to think about the way to resolve their health problems by themselves and not always rely on doctors or the ministry of public health," he said.

Suthichai Aiamcharoen-ying, president of the Social Venture Network of Thailand, said he was concerned that authorities would not implement the health act, creating a big problem for the country.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation