The Danish Embassy in Thailand together with Novo Nordisk celebrates 100th anniversary of contributing to sustainable global healthcare
The Danish Embassy in Thailand together with Novo Nordisk celebrates 100th anniversary of contributing to sustainable global healthcare and continues towards Thailand’s Path to sustainable diabetes and obesity care.
Today, the sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity of Thais correlate with the prevalence of overweight and obesity, which are major risk factors for diabetes. Obesity can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by over 7 times, while being overweight triples the risk. Additionally, adults aged 30-69 are the group with the highest diabetes mortality rate in Thailand, followed by those over 70. Thailand is becoming an aging society, with the elderly population expected to increase to approximately 14.4 million by 2025 and 1 in 5 seniors having diabetes.
At the ‘Celebration of 100-Year Danish Contribution to Sustainable Healthcare Globally and Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Diabetes & Obesity Care’, H.E. Mr. Jon Thorgaard, Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing complex health issues, especially diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. The Danish Embassy, acting as a key connection, fosters enduring partnerships with Thai counterparts, ensuring the efficient continuation of collaborative endeavours. As a result, access to sustainable, high-quality healthcare is guaranteed for Thais and future generations. The opening ceremony of the event was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cherdchai Tontisirin, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, and was graced by the presence of Prof. Wichai Aekplakorn, Head of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital. Prof. Aekplakorn addressed the challenges of sustainable diabetes and obesity care at the Danish Embassy in Thailand.
With the 400-year longstanding Denmark-Thailand relationship, one aspect is cooperation in healthcare. As a global leader in healthcare, Novo Nordisk has played a significant role in global healthcare systems with partners worldwide, including the use of innovation in diabetes care. This year marks its 100th anniversary, proving the Danish corporate culture’s commitment to healthcare and emphasizes sustainability by considering economic, social, and environmental systems.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cherdchai Tontisirin, the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Public Health, said, “I am honoured to be part of the celebration of Denmark’s century-long commitment to sustainable healthcare and the importance of partnership in addressing global health challenges, which are urgent priorities. The Thai government has pledged to upgrade the ’30 baht’ universal healthcare scheme to achieve fundamental welfare for all citizens. The number of Thai diabetes patients has been increasing by around 100,000 per year, while those with NCDs have risen similarly by 300,000 annually, putting more strain on the national budget. Therefore, collaboration between all sectors should be emphasised, primarily focusing on preventative measures rather than treatment, by promoting overall well-being to create a healthier society for all Thai citizens throughout their lives. The Ministry of Public Health welcomes and seeks cooperation with the private sector to tackle this issue and reduce long-term financial burdens. I truly believe there is no wealth without health.”
Prof. Dr. Wichai Aekplakorn, Head of the Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, discussed the situation regarding diabetes and obesity, where the number of patients is rising globally. It is predicted that by 2030, there will be 1 billion people with obesity, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. In Thailand, diabetes has the highest mortality rate, with around 66,000 deaths per year. 1 in 10 Thais have diabetes, and 1 in 3 are undiagnosed. It also impacts the economy by over 375 trillion baht, or 2.2% of GDP. That is why it is needed for improving public knowledge and awareness in this regard, enabling collaboration among all stakeholders (government, private sector, and surrounding communities), and expanding inclusive access to treatment.
Mr. Enrico Cañal Bruland VP & General Manager, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd, said in his keynote speech ‘The Century-Long Journey of Danish Contribution to Sustainable Healthcare’ the company commitment to innovation and research, stating that Novo Nordisk has been at the forefront of developing new treatments and therapies for diabetes and other chronic diseases. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with healthcare professionals, patients, and governments to create a sustainable healthcare system that can effectively address these global health challenges.
The Company is dedicated to developing products and services that help patients effectively manage diabetes and obesity. We are committed to working with the public and private sectors to promote best practices in disease prevention and management, as well as supporting research and development to develop innovation in healthcare to improve patients’ quality of life. Innovation is at the heart of the company’s business and has been a key driver of sustainability for the past 100 years. Rising rates of obesity and diabetes threaten the health and prosperity of future generations. Medicines alone cannot solve these challenges, so we are working in partnerships across the globe to drive change through integrated treatment solutions and prevention wherever possible.
In Thailand, Novo Nordisk has operated for 40 years, bringing products and treatment innovations to the country. We believe that this will help improve the quality of life for patients. We are committed to searching for new products through clinical research. Obesity is a major issue, requiring proper treatment and leading to over 200 other diseases. Therefore, it should be an urgent priority to prevent future healthcare burdens, both directly and indirectly to ensure future generations have better and more sustainable healthcare.
