Commitment to Healthcare Innovation
AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd (AZTH) was established in 1983 as part of AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company operating in over 100 countries. With a portfolio of over 20 medicines, AZTH provides treatment to more than a million patients in Thailand every year. The company is committed to raising disease awareness, improving diagnostics, expanding access to innovative medicines, and promoting sustainability.
Young Health Programme (YHP)
As part of its community engagement efforts, AZTH collaborates with Plan International Thailand on the Young Health Programme (YHP), a global initiative focused on preventing non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders. The programme is designed around four key strategies: empowering young people, mobilizing communities, strengthening health systems, and advocating for policy change. By addressing both individual behavior and broader systemic issues, AZTH ensures long-term improvements in youth health and well-being.
Expanding Awareness Through Education
Education plays a crucial role in the success of YHP Thailand. The programme trains peer educators to engage with their communities, ensuring that accurate health information reaches young people directly. Schools are also key partners, integrating health awareness initiatives into their curricula. By equipping teachers and students with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed health choices, YHP fosters a culture of proactive disease prevention.
Strengthening Healthcare Access
Beyond awareness, YHP Thailand works to improve access to youth-friendly health services. The programme collaborates with local healthcare providers to enhance service delivery, ensuring that young people have safe, non-judgmental spaces to seek medical advice and support. This effort is essential in breaking down barriers that often prevent young individuals from accessing critical healthcare resources.
Impact and Reach
Launched in 2019 as a five-year initiative, YHP Thailand has reached millions of young people through digital campaigns, peer education, school health programs, and teacher training sessions. The programme has also worked with parents and caregivers to create a more supportive environment for youth health education. Through its partnership with Plan International and UNICEF, with research support from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the initiative continues to make a lasting impact on Thai communities.
Shanggari Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, MORS Group, notes that AZTH’s Young Health Programme plays a crucial role in creating protective environments for young people, empowering them to make informed choices about their health while raising awareness about the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
