ABSTRACT
Thailand’s National Health Assembly (NHA) is an essential platform for promoting Health in All Policies. This presentation will describe a HiAP project related to asbestos, the process of moving from policy development to implementation, and the challenges that arose.
Given an abundance of health hazard evidence and calls by the World Health Organization for a total ban on all types of asbestos, Thailand tested integrating health into industrial policy to meet this concern. In 2010, the NHA adopted a Resolution for a "total ban on chrysotile asbestos," which was subsequently endorsed by the Cabinet for legality and enforcement. The Resolution mandated the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) to draft a plan to ban production, import, export, and distribution of chrysotile asbestos by 2011.
Given limited participation by key stakeholders in the process of drafting and adopting the NHA resolution, there was strong resistance by a few manufacturers though a majority complied voluntarily before the Resolution. Delay tactics used by DIW, such as commissioning studies despite clear evidence, raised public concern about "regulatory capture" and industry interference or influence on the actions of the DIW. Key lessons learned and success factors will be described, including the need for not only participatory policy formulation but good governance at the implementation level especially when legal power lies with state actors outside of the health sector.
Moderator: Dr.Dusita Phuengsamran
January 20, 2016 Time: 12:30 – 13:30 hrs.Room Srabua 109
