On 21 April 2025, the School of Health Science at Mae Fah Luang University organised an opening ceremony of the training programme titled "Frontier Public Health Personnel Capacity Development for Preparedness for Future Severe Human Health Threats in the Region" at Pradu Daeng 1 Room, General Sampao Choosri Building (E4), Mae Fah Luang University.
The ceremony was presided over by Asst. Prof. Dr. Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tawatchai Apidechkul, lecturer of the School of Health Science and Director of the Center of Excellence for Hill Tribe Health Research at Mae Fah Luang University, serving as the project leader.
This training, supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, is part of a regional collaboration project aimed at developing the capabilities of public health personnel in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia to effectively respond to potential future health threats. Lessons learned from the global COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted health and economies worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia, serve as key case studies.
The main objectives of the project are to develop specialized training programmes that strengthen public health and medical professionals’ disease control and prevention capabilities, build the capacity of public health personnel to respond to emerging diseases, and improve efficient disease surveillance systems in the region to enable essential health information sharing.
The training consists of four modules focusing on: principles of epidemiology and implementation science; steps of disease investigation and control, including essential biostatistics; individual or group work implementation; and health leadership, communication, and collaboration development. The first module was held from 21 – 25 April 2025 at Mae Fah Laung University.
This specially designed training is supported by experts and epidemiologist leaders from various organisations, including Mae Fah Luang University, the Department of Disease Control of the Ministry of Public Health Thailand, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Institut Pasteur, and Harvard University, along with public health personnel from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Furthermore, the training programme welcomed contributions from global experts in fields such as vaccine and drug development, disease control, and mathematical modeling for epidemic forecasting.
The training serves as a vital platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices among public health personnel from countries across the Lancang-Mekong region, preparing them to tackle emerging diseases that could arise in the future. In addition to COVID-19, other potential epidemic diseases, such as monkeypox and MERS, are also addressed.
As the university strives for well-being and a sustainable future, the organizers hope that the training will effectively address health threats, develop efficient disease surveillance systems, protect the lives of citizens, improve quality of life, and strengthen economic security and peace in the region.
