IHPP Showcases Thailand’s Global Health Leadership to Future Medical Professionals

The International Health Policy Program (IHPP) Foundation welcomed 12 medical students from the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) on 27 August 2025 for a study visit designed to deepen understanding of Thailand’s role in global health and inspire future professionals in the field.

Hosted at IHPP’s office, the program featured two experienced speakers in Global Health: Dr. Thitikorn Topothai, HPSR Fellow at IHPP, and Dr. Hathairat Kosiyaporn, Health Technical Officer at the Ministry of Public Health. Together, they provided an overview of Thailand’s health diplomacy, shared case studies of policy innovation, and offered guidance on career pathways in global health.

Medical students from IFMSA joined IHPP for the Thailand Public & Global Health Advocacy Tour 2025.

Thailand’s Global Health Contributions
Thailand has long been recognized for its leadership in universal health coverage and active participation in international health forums, including the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Central to these achievements is the “Triangle that Moves the Mountain” framework, which integrates knowledge generation, policy advocacy, and social movement.

Dr. Hathairat highlighted distinctions between global health platforms, noting that while WHA is the WHO’s primary decision-making body, UNGA takes a broader perspective across health, economic, and political issues. She emphasized that, despite being non-binding, resolutions from these forums create significant political and social momentum for reform.

Speakers highlighted Thailand’s active role in shaping international health agendas at the WHA and UNGA.

From Local Observations to Global Action
In his session, Dr. Thitikorn shared the journey of how evidence from Thailand shaped the global agenda on physical activity for health. What began as clinical observations of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) evolved into successful advocacy that secured ministerial support, regional resolutions, and ultimately the inclusion of physical activity on the WHO Executive Board agenda. This led to the adoption of the first Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.

Building Careers in Global Health
For the visiting students, a central theme was how to pursue careers in global health. Dr. Hathairat underscored the importance of multidisciplinary skills, combining public health, political science, economics, and management. She encouraged students to explore advanced degrees in public or global health and consider specialized training in fields such as community medicine.

Career opportunities, she noted, span policy and advocacy roles in international organizations, government positions within the Ministry of Public Health, and research and academic careers in institutes and universities.

Participants engaged in dialogue with IHPP experts on global health policy and career pathways.

Looking Ahead
The study visit concluded with a networking session, leaving students with a clearer picture of Thailand’s contributions to global health and practical guidance for pursuing careers in this dynamic field. IHPP’s engagement reaffirmed Thailand’s leadership role in shaping global health discourse while inspiring the next generation of health professionals to contribute to equity and innovation on the world stage.