ชมรมจักรยานเพื่อสุขภาพแห่งประเทศไทย ชมรมจักรยานเพื่อสุขภาพแห่งประเทศไทย
Thai Government agencies respond positively to NHA resolution on cycling and walking promotion
On March 8, 2013, at National Health Building within the compound of the Public Health Ministry of Thailand, a meeting was convened to discuss implementation of the 5th National Health Assembly’s resolution on Systems and Structure for Promotion of Walking and Cycling in Daily Life.
The meeting was actively participated by representatives from government agencies that the NHA resolution requires to take further actions, including those from the Prime Minister Office, Highway Department, Land Transport Department, Office of Transport Policy and Planning, Department of Health, Department of Tourism, Office of Primary Education Commission, Office of Vocational Education Commission, Office of Higher Education Commission, Industrial Products Standards Office, Town Planning Department, Local Administration Department, Financial Economy Office, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Office of Traffic and Transport, and Office of National Health Commission (NHC), and also from Thailand Cycling Club (TCC). It was chaired by Dr. Narongsak Angkhasuwapala, Chairman of NHC’s Committee to drive and monitor implementation of NHA resolutions.
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Representatives of most government agencies participating in the consultation responded positively as some actions proposed in the resolution are those they had already begun to do, such as using walking and cycling as a feeder system for public transport and supports for tourism by bicycles.
Key is to make the cabinet understand. If the cabinet agrees to the National Health Assembly’s resolution, concerned government agencies could implement recommended actions in it with work plan and budget, such as providing knowledge to raise awareness about pedestrians and bicycle users to those who wish to take examination for a driving license,amendments of ministerial orders issued under the Building Control Act and local provisions to require owners of large buildings and public buildings, including public transport stations, to provide enough convenient and safe cycle parking, and requiring education institutes to have a course to provide knowledge and develop skills for correct and safe walking and cycling to Thai students.
However, representatives of some government agencies explained that their agencies had no authority to take actions as recommended by the National Health Assembly’s resolution and provided name of another agency in the same ministry more appropriate to take such actions. For instance, an agency appropriate to coordinate the recommended actions and support a process to develop a national strategy or public policy on Systems and Structure for Promotion of Walking and Cycling in Daily Lifeshould be Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board instead of Office of the Permanent Secretary.
| “National Health Commission’s work is policy coordination, not implementingworks of any other agencies. To develop national action plans or strategies, the Commission needs to do cross-cutting work, key policy work. Otherwise the NHC would become another implementing agency which is not the NHC’s mission. Strong leadership is required to drive policy work that cuts across the whole government, so that implementation of works under authority of, or ‘owned’ by, several ministries and many agencies are carried out together concertedly at policy and strategy level. If this can be done, it would be a good omen for holistic health work at national level.”
Professor Surichai Wangaeo Expert Commissioner in the National Health Commission |
Reported by Gawin Chutima
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