Thai government initiates Green Medicine to promote traditional medicine
Alternative therapies, regenerative and anti-ageing sciences also supported
Banking on the growing awareness of alternative healthcare’s benefits, especially the preventive and holistic healing effects, the Thai government has initiated Green Medicine to innovate from its rich heritage of traditional medicine. More scientific research is being conducted to validate and develop traditional herbs for recognition and integration into modern healthcare services.
Traditional therapeutic treatments such as Thai massage and herbal medicine have increasingly gained worldwide recognition. Many hospitals in Thailand have bridged the gap between medical treatment and preventive care, making healthcare more effective and comprehensive. The country has also earned itself the reputation as “The Spa Capital of Asia” for its top-rated wellness experience that blends a variety of traditional healing practices with state-of-the-art health and wellness technologies.
Thailand is building on its strong foundation as a top-ranked medical tourism destination as it aims to promote ten areas of the medical and wellness services, including regenerative and anti-ageing sciences, alternative medicine, cardio science, musculoskeletal, dental clinic, in-vitro fertilization, cancer treatment, surgeries, ophthalmology (cataract) and precision medicine. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the value of medical tourism in Thailand amounted to around nine billion U.S. dollars in 2019 and was forecast to reach approximately 24.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2027, according to Statista.
In 2021, Thailand was ranked 5th in the world, and 1st in Asia, in the Global Health Security Index by John Hopkins University for its pandemic response capacity. The Health Care Index 2021 by CEO World magazine also ranked Thailand in the 13th place globally based on overall health factors.
Affordable costs, high-quality medical professionals, world-class healthcare facilities and superb wellness services have propelled the demand for Thailand’s medical and wellness services from abroad. With the Green Medicine initiative, Thailand is now aligned with the growing international trend of incorporating traditional and integrative methodologies into the existing healthcare systems.
