Developing the Healthy City Concept

7/29/2019 Developing the Healthy City Concept

1/3

Developing the " Healthy City Concept

The Thai Department of Health (DOH) of the Ministry of Public Health first applied the World Health

Organization (WHO) concept of the "health city in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan

Administration in 1994. In 1996, the DOH received financial support from the WHO to expand the

"healthy city model to five new pilot locations. This expansion was successful in creating new

community norms for cleanliness (e.g., garbage collection, waste water management). This model also

established a conceptual framework to approach the environment and health status by encouraging

agencies under the local administrative authority to work together in a partnership network.

Communities were motivated to develop a civic-minded approach to problems in which they are key

players and have responsibility for the development of their neighborhoods. This model also promoted

the effective application of public health law to protect individual rights and develop an orderly and civil

society.

At present, the local administrative authorities are key players in the implementation of programs for

environmental health as stipulated in their charter and Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992). The "health

city model strategy is one approach which the local administrative authorities can use to implement

programs for environmental health which are under their jurisdiction. This strategy is one which

promotes decentralization of authority to the community and has the potential for a more sustainable

solution to development problems.

Basic Process of Implementation

The local administrative authorities establish a " health city policy and work plan.

Health staff and/or responsible individuals receive training and orientation in the "health city model

through meetings and seminars, and learn how the public health law can be used to support

implementation of the model.

Implementation is done through a network of partners, or local leaders, who play an active role in the

"health city project activities.


2/3

There are forums for exchanging lessons learned and for site visits to communities implementing the

project.

The health data base is strengthened.

In 2008, the DOH established the priority environmental health problems that threaten the majority

of Thai communities, and outlined the national policy steps that will promote success in 3 key areas :

Food and water safety by implementing safety standards at the following :

Development of Type 1 wet markets to reach standards of safe selling

Develop restaurants, food stalls and food carts so that they reach the standards of cleanliness and safety

Communities have water that is safe for consumption through a piped water system

Waste management with the objective of motivating communities to properly dispose of refuse and

sewage that can cause disease according to standards as follows :

A system is in place to implement standard waste disposal methods

Use of sanitary latrines according to standard

There is a system of sewage disposal that meets the standard


3/3

Use of legal measures under Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) with the objective of encouraging

communities to effectively abide by the legislation by issuing appropriate laws and by enforcing those

laws.

Key Activities :

Raise awareness and understanding among the population and the local administrative authorities so

that they recognize the importance and benefit of promoting environmental health and

reducing/eradicating risk behaviors which are harmful to health.

Promote the role of community information networks and public news outlets to help promote a norm

of civic-mindedness to address the challenge.

Build the capacity of public health staff and local officials so that they are adequately prepared and

capable of implementing the programs in an effective way in the local community.

Conduct research and knowledge development of appropriate technology that is suitable to the local

context and which can effectively address the problems.

Documents

Developing the Healthy City Concept