A night shopping scene in Thailand: the country is aiming to become an international medical hub. Photo Credit: Adobe stock/pierrick
Thailand has scored a major win when it hosts one of the world’s
largest conferences for diabetes, IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025. The
congress will be held from 7-10 April 2025 at the Bangkok International
Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC).
The event was secured by the effective collaborative bid between the
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Diabetes
Association of Thailand. It will be hosted in Southeast Asia for the
first time.
Thailand has a 20-year goal to become an international medical hub,
enhancing local public health, with the diagnosis, treatment and
managing of diabetes being on the top of its agenda.
The conference is expected to draw 10,000 participants including
diabetes doctors, nurses, nutritionists, healthcare professionals,
representatives from government agencies involved in public health
policymaking, healthcare systems, and diabetic patients.
Narong Saiwong, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public
Health (MoPH), said that in Thailand, there are about 300,000 new cases
of diabetes per year. In 2022, studies showed that out of 3.3 million,
only 29% could control normal blood sugar levels.
He added, “The congress is a great opportunity for healthcare
professionals and diabetes patients in Thailand to exchange and learn
about new research and advancements in diabetes prevention, treatment,
and control."
The MoPH also provides knowledge and mental health care to diabetic
patients, and promotes behaviour changes for diabetes control among
individuals, households, and communities.
Economic benefits and local legacy
The event will directly generate more than US$12 million (420 million
baht) in revenue for the country and about US$23 million (800 million
baht) in economic stimulus, creating employment for 560 jobs, and
boosting tax revenue by around US$770,000 (27 million baht).
Source: AMI