“Self-care has never been more vital,” according to Manoj Jhalani, director of the department of Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems at the World Health Organization’s South East Asia Regional Office.
“In a world where non-communicable diseases are now the main contributor of the disease burden and family structures are evolving, self-care is no longer just an option, it is a necessity,” Jhalani insisted, opening the 2024 Global Self-Care Federation, Asia Pacific Self Medication Industry and Thai Self-Medication Industry Association Joint Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jhalani’s sentiment was echoed by the Thai Food and Drug Administration’s deputy secretary general, Withid Sariddeechaikool, who also opened the conference, saying that “self-care interventions and policies are essential for the future of healthcare in our region.”
“Governments, regulatory bodies, healthcare providers, the private sector, and communities must work together to create an environment that supports self-care, making it accessible, acceptable, safe, and effective within our healthcare systems,” Sariddeechaikool added.
Mrs X And Mr Y
To illustrate his point, Jhalani described the situation of two different types of people living in Thailand, Mrs. X, a woman living in a rural village, and Mr Y, a man living in a “bustling metropolitan city.”
Mrs X is responsible for her family’s health but has limited access to healthcare services and reliable health information.
“She needs preventive knowledge, accessible self-care resources and trusted guidance to manage her family’s health,” Jhalani pointed out. “For Mrs. X, self-care knowledge and interventions are fundamental, possibly lifesaving.”
For Mr. Y, on the other hand, although healthcare is more accessible and affordable, his priorities are managing stress, diet and activity.
“Through digital tools that fit into his busy life, wearables, diagnostics and mobile applications help him monitor his health on the go. For him, self-care tools mean efficiency, convenience and peace of mind.”
“These examples highlight that while our health care needs differ, self-care is universally relevant,” Jhalani concluded. “It transcends income, geography and lifestyle, and offers an opportunity for national health authorities to foster more responsive and health care systems that complement formal services and extend their reach.”
Digital Has No Boundaries
Thai FDA’s Sariddeechaikool also stressed the potential of technology for furthering responsible self-care practices in the APAC region.
“Digital health advancements are bringing new possibilities,” he explained. “Wearable health devices, health apps, and telemedicine are helping us manage our own health and connect with healthcare professionals when we need to.
“Digital health has no boundaries,” he continued, “and collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region can help us maximize these benefits and reduce potential risks.”
“We can work together to create standards, share best practices, and develop solutions to make sure that digital health tools are safe, secure, and effective. We can also address issues like data privacy and access to healthcare, ensuring that all citizens, no matter their location or income level, can benefit from these innovative healthcare technologies.”
Collective Vision
WHO’s Jhalani ended his speech with a bold vision of the future of digital, holistic self-care, which points to the ambition present in the APAC region.
“Imagine a morning routine where an AI health assistant analyses your sleep patterns via the Internet of Things, while a smart mirror performs a quick health check. Augmented reality glasses could guide nutritional choices while shopping and virtual reality could provide stress relief sessions tailored to the cortisol levels measured by your smart watch.”
Digital technology has the potential to democratize access to preventive care, he argued, “seamlessly integrating with daily life to empower individuals to manage their health proactively.”
“A collective vision for self-care in Asia Pacific with this capacity to empower individuals and complement health systems, holds immense potential to transform health outcomes by fostering the right tools, partnerships and enabling environments,” he concluded.
