Health and wellness crucial to improve people's quality of life, says Cholnan

The exhibition of health and wealth products and services is being held in Bangkok until Sunday by Nation Group.

Cholnan said people are at risk of getting sick due to various factors, such as political tensions, social issues and the environment. He added that many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals were related to health and wellness.

He said Thailand has the potential to develop wellness tourism, thanks to many famous tourist attractions, high quality medical services at a reasonable price and sufficient medical facilities.

“Thailand also has outstanding potential in alternative medicine,” he said, adding, the country needs more family physicians to ensure that all people can access medical treatment, as well as collaboration to maintain the country’s advantage in medical services.

Cholnan said the Public Health Ministry was working on its policy to take care of the people’s health along with stimulating the economy.

He said the ministry’s policies cover three aspects: tackling issues, setting up medical service standards, and stimulating the economy.

To tackle existing issues, secondary care hospitals are necessary to ensure all people can access treatment when there is a pandemic, he said, adding that secondary care is now available at the Royal Thai Airforce Hospital in Bangkok and Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital.

Regarding the setting up of service standards, he said the ministry is working to ensure that all people under the 30-baht healthcare scheme can access treatment anywhere using only their ID card.

Cholnan said Thailand would take part in “Expo 2025 Osaka” in Japan, under the concept “Smile” to showcase the country’s potential in healthcare.

"Smile" is an acronym for Siam, medical hub world destination, inspiration towards wellness community, living lab, and enchanting Thailand, he explained.

“Thailand has readiness in healthcare to boost the country’s prosperity, but it needs cooperation among parties to achieve that goal,” he added.