Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Maldives. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced the Cabinet's decision to proceed with the agreement, which is expected to bolster health cooperation between the two nations.
According to Thai News Agency, the MoU outlines a framework for collaborative efforts in enhancing primary health care in the Maldives, academic partnerships with health professional training institutes, and human resource development. It also emphasizes sustainable budgeting for health promotion through exchanges of information, expert consultations, personnel training, and workshops. The agreement is set to be effective for three years from the date of signing and will automatically extend for another three years unless either country opts to terminate it with a three-month prior notification via diplomatic channels. The signing is scheduled during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19 to 27, 2025.
The Health Systems Research Institute has expressed agreement with the proposal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Department of South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, has assessed that the MoU does not constitute a treaty under international law or a contract under Section 178 of the Thai Constitution. However, it is regarded as a matter of international relations that binds the Thai government, eligible for Cabinet proposal under Section 4 (7) of the Royal Decree on Proposals and Cabinet Meetings B.E. 2548.