Health Policies Addressing Southern Thailand's Needs : Lessons from Human Security-Based Support Systems DOI:

Abstract

This research extracts lessons from the development of a system and mechanism to support the implementation of public policy for health promotion in Southern Thailand, framed by the concepts of human security and community health plans. It involved expanding networks, fostering participation, and utilizing sub-district funds to drive sustainable and equitable health outcomes. The primary objectives were to analyze the efficiency, effectiveness, success factors, and obstacles, extract knowledge, and establish guidelines for developing a public policy support system for Southern Thailand's health promotion within a human security framework. A qualitative research methodology was applied with 12 key informants, purposively selected and divided into five groups : 3 supporters, 3 implementers, 2 monitors, 2 internal evaluators, and 2 public communication officers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with an overall content validity of 0.72, and analyzed through content analysis. The research findings revealed that; (1) Efficiency & Effectiveness : Personnel demonstrated clear roles working in an interdisciplinary manner. Budgeting effectively mobilized funds from sub-district funds. The network expanded from 5 to over 10 organizations within one year. In terms of effectiveness, there was a 15% reduction in NCD rates among the at-risk group, three elderly care centers were developed, and an integrated provincial health plan was formulated. (2) Success Factors & Barriers : Key success factors included cross-sectoral network collaboration, a holistic participatory process, an information system for decision-making, multi-level communication strategies, and shared resource management. Major barriers comprised overlapping work functions, regulatory constraints, personnel shortages, and fragmented data systems.           (3) Knowledge Extraction : Extracted knowledge can be categorized into three dimensions; Area : Integrated provincial health information system + strategic sub-district funds., Society : Participatory NCD problem-solving using the 4Es2Ss approach (Food/ Exercise/ Emotion/ Environment/ Alcohol/ Smoking). And Knowledge : Design of virtual fund innovations and policy communication. (4) System Development Guidelines : Guidelines involve scaling projects into a system through the Sub-district Health Committee mechanism, establishing a virtual fund, developing a provincial health data center, and promoting participation at the decision-making level. Therefore, this system fosters sustainable well-being by leveraging social capital as its foundation, driven through local networks, and integrating human security across all dimensions.