The Ministry of Public Health Prepares to Promote 'Wellness Centers' to Produce More Thai Massage Practitioners to Attract International Health Tourists

Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, revealed part of the government's policy and the Ministry's support for the comprehensive medical industry and health economy development (Care and Wellness Economy). He emphasized the push for wellness centers, providing guidelines for the new directors of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, who will begin their roles on October 1, 2024.

 

Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health

 

Both departments are key to advancing wellness centers. The focus will be on establishing quality wellness centers and increasing the production of Thai massage practitioners, ensuring they receive appropriate income. This initiative aims to generate revenue for the country through international tourists who increasingly favor health tourism.

"Foreign tourists will spend on health promotion services that emphasize relaxation rather than treatment. If they are not ill, they won't come. Wellness centers will meet the needs of systematically managed, high-quality health tourism services and provide another channel for health services that can generate income for the country, especially in Thai traditional medicine, which is very popular among tourists," the Minister stated.

Mr. Somsak continued that the Ministry is also preparing to invite relevant agencies to discuss regulations or frameworks for quality and standard wellness centers. New regulations may be needed to effectively drive this policy forward.

Additionally, the Ministry plans to engage both domestic and international private sectors in the medical industry, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and health products to collaborate on creating medical products and leveraging the strengths of the country's health system, such as herbal medicine and health tourism services, to find joint pathways to generate income from health economy development.

Mr. Somsak remarked that supporting the comprehensive medical industry and health economy development is a new focus for the Ministry. Although it has been discussed previously, there has been no budget allocation for serious implementation. The current government is committed to this issue, recognizing the economic gaps that Thailand can fill through serious policy advancement.

"The Ministry has received the government's policy and has already begun implementing it, especially in promoting health or wellness centers. We have assigned relevant agencies to drive this forward, with serious implementation starting on October 1. Everyone is eager to advance this policy," Mr. Somsak said.

 

 

Source: The Coverage