One Health Approach Synergy in Animal Health and Public Health: Thailand Perspectives on Two IHR/PVS Assessments

Thailand gained experience in assessing the International Health Regulations (IHR) and Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) through the IHR-PVS national bridging workshops in 2014 and 2022. These workshops employed an interactive methodology, including identification of gaps, scenario analysis, and the development of multisectoral collaboration. Participants from various sectors engaged in discussions, identified gaps in cooperation, and proposed strategies to strengthen coordination. To strengthen Thailand’s commitment to the One Health approach, the Thai government has prioritized efforts to enhance the understanding and implementation of this unifying approach among decision-makers, develop comprehensive health governance through the revision of governance structures and establish coordination units, strengthen joint surveillance systems, improve joint investigation procedures, establish a robust risk assessment framework, develop effective risk communication strategies, and engage communities in One Health initiatives. By addressing these areas, Thailand aims to build a more resilient health system capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to zoonotic diseases with a streamlined response to health emergencies.