Speeches on Opening Day

Opening Address by Dr Chatri Banchuin, Director General of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

"In order to be a specialized healthcare center, more and more private hospitals are positioning themselves in specialized fields in order to attract patients with specific ailments and these include cardiac, ophthalmic, neuro, dialysis, dental and plastic surgery.  Private hospitals are also casting their web to attract overseas patients and expats living and working in Thailand.  This sector has become a major source of income to many private hospitals.  1.1 million overseas patients seeked medical care in Thailand in 2006 generating approximately US$1.1 billion.  This sector will see a doubling of patients of 2010.

By the year 2011, biotechnology will play a vital role in Thailand's development.  The emphasis will be on applying core technologies such as genomics and bioinformatics.  The potential of biotechnology will be utilized to encourage investment in research and development and the establishment of new biotechnology companies.  Hence, the "new" bio-business will look into the areas of producing of high value-added products such as medical diagnostic kits.  Another is in the service business particularly in molecular-level detection used for medical care and public health analysis, and for biosafety and bioterrorism."

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Welcome Message from Mr Gernot Ringling, Managing Director, Messe Duesseldorf Asia

"The exhibition has been receiving a strong growing interest from both exhibiting companies and visitors.  I am pleased to inform that the number of exhibitors has increased by 40% since the exhibition made its debut in 2003.  We have with us 250 exhibiting companies from 25 countries present at this year's exhibition.  We are indeed very pleased by this progress and are optimistic that this development will continue for many more years to come.

We also welcome in our midst the 8 national and group pavilions.  They are from Austria, Belgium, China, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.  With the continuing interests of the medical sector in HOSPIMedica THAILAND, the importance of the healthcare industry in Southeast Asia and particularly of Thailand's aspirations and ability to be the Medical Hub in Asia is evident."

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Welcome Message from Khun Preecha Bhanditvej, Board Director, Thai Medical Device Technology Industry Association

"Thailand has long been an attractive market for suppliers of medical devices due to its great potential, as the healthcare market has not yet been fully developed like in Europe, Japan, or the USA.  According to official records there are approximately 450 companies in Thailand marketing medical devices.  Of these 450 marketing and distribution companies approximately 100 suppliers consider medical devices their core business.

It is estimated that total sales of medical devices in Thailand in 2006 amounted to approximately US$ 480 million.  Although this is a modest amount, the potential for higher sales is considerable during the years to come due to the increasing percentage of the aging Thai population, additional public but also private hospitals, and the higher demand for health serve following the introduction of various healthcare schemes by the government."

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Welcome Message from Dr Prapaporn Sirisabya, M.D., President of Thai Rehabilitation of Medicine Association And The Royal College of Physiatrists of Thailand

(joint organizers of the workshop on Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (the first ASEAN Neuro Rehab Certificate Workshop Series)

"....the VFSS workshop will help physiatrists identify the safest feeding methods.  The physiatrist will also be able to advise apppropriate combinations of neck posture, food consistency and swallowing techniques and suggest and implement rehabilitation programmes for dysphagic patients.  The workshop also aims to enable physicians and other specialists to set up and run VFSS laboratories."

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