Thailand and the US strengthen their collaboration on public health

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently visited Thailand’s leading infectious disease institute.

The visit was to commemorate the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the United States and the 43rd anniversary of public health cooperation between the two nations.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul as well as US Ambassador to Thailand Robert F Godec accompanied Dr. Walensky on her visit to the Bamrasnaradura Institute of Infectious Diseases.

During his visit, he observed a patient isolation ward that was built in 2003 to treat Thailand’s first SARS patient, Dr. Carlo Urbani. This facility was created after Dr. Urbani, a WHO doctor who first detected the virus in Hanoi, Vietnam, developed SARS symptoms during his stay in Bangkok. He battled the disease for 18 days in the institute’s makeshift isolation room before passing away on March 29, 2003.

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Ambassador Godec highlighted the longstanding public health cooperation between the US CDC and the Thai Ministry of Public Health, which has focused on the prevention and containment of various epidemics such as HIV, malaria, dengue, Zika virus and the flu for more than 40 years. He also highlighted CDC’s largest offshore office in Thailand, which has helped address various health issues, including during the global pandemic.

The visit was to commemorate the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the United States and the 43rd anniversary of public health cooperation between the two nations.

In addition, the office assists in disease surveillance, investigations, contact tracing, and control in and around Bangkok.

Dr. Walensky acknowledged that past cooperation in responding to public health emergencies demonstrates the strength of the partnership between Thailand and the United States. In addition, she stressed the continued importance of working together and developing health security to ensure a safer and healthier life for Thai people and people around the world.