POLITICAL HEALTH OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO SUPPORT THE ASEAN COMMUNITY

Abstract

The objectives of this research was aimed (1) to examine the politics of public health of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to accommodate the ASEAN Community (AC) (2) to explore problems and difficulties in the public health development of the MOPH to accommodate the ASEAN Community and lastly, (3) to investigate the health developmental guidances of the MOPH to accommodate the ASEAN Community. This was a quantitative research of cross-sectional survey, together with the qualitative one which data collection were through the in-depth interviews. The results indicated that reforming performance system of the MOPH by regional health services had contributed to the surveillance of the health service units thoroughly, moving forward the policies quickly, and extending more access to quality health service. In public health development problems had been found, including; personnel, finance, fiscal unit, pharmaceutics and medical equipment, information systems and management, and (3) the Ministry of Public Health should be aware of the access to public health services and the general public’s health importantly, as well as development of manpower, resources, budget and the availability of services, technology and medical equipment. Besides, the development of the MOPH’s existing health policies should be in accordance with the ASEAN cooperation in public health, which was mostly subject to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community establishment plan.