The Centre Profile

Background

The Faculty of Economics has been consistently developing expertise in Health Economics since 1979 through research, staff development and teaching. The Faculty has provided an undergraduate course in Health Economics to its own students, some short courses for other institutions and for the Ministry of Public Health. Several international workshops are provided in cooperation with the UNDP, World Bank and World Health Organisation. Research activities intially focused on economic aspects of malaria control, health care financing and disease patterns in Thailand.

In 1998 a Master Degree Programme in Economics with specialisation in Health Economics commenced with the first enrollment of 20 students from both the private and the public sectors. A positive discrimination policy was applied with 70 percent candidates selected from provinces; as the result of which, graduates from the first few years of this programme have formed the basis of network of expertise in the public health sector of Thailand.

With some support from TDR and WHO, the Centre for Health Economics is now embarked on an expanded programme of research, education and services, with the commencement of an International Programme In Health Economics in 1993. Along with the MSc programme, the Centre also offers short courses in Health Economics. In 1993 the Centre was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Economics and became a partner with institutions in Sri Lanka and Myanmar in a special TDR linkage-grant to develop international partnerships in research training. Bilateral linkages have been established with a number of other countries. Staff of the Centre are extensively involved in national and international consultations.

Research projects in progress and recently finished include the economics of leprosy in collaboration with Khon Kaen University, of filariasis, malaria and other vector borne diseases in conjunction with the Department of Communicable Diseases Control of Thailand and LSTM (Liverpool, UK): modelling of options in health care planning and resourse allocation in conjunction with STI Switzerland and ITC Netherlands, financing health care in conjunction with LSHTM London. Collaborative research is being extended to encompass health issues relating to economic development in other countries in the region.

The Centre for Health Economics has therefore become a specialised centre within the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University. It grew out of the positive development in health economics in the Faculty since 1979. The Centre was formally established in 1990 with an initial support from WHO/TDR and the British Council.

Objectives and Functions of the Centre

1. To develop expertise in the application of health economics in the formulation of health care policies, in planning and resource allocation, and in the health care delivery process in Thailand;
2. To strengthen health economics research capability both in Thailand and in South-East Asia, with respect to health policy, health care reform and related issues to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and equity;
3. To encourage research in economic analysis and evaluation of disease control, with special attention to tropical diseases;
4. To provide advisory and information services in South-East Asia on health economics research.

Administrative Structure

The Centre for Health Economics is administered by the Director, on behalf of the Centre's Executive Committee. The Committee is composed of a Chairperson and members appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University

Facilities

The Centre has an office in the Faculty of Economics building. It has developed some specialised library facilities and also has access to most computer facilities, including internet access.

Financial Support

The Centre derives its financial support via its educational and research activities from a variety of national and international agencies.

Staff and their Expertise

The Centre has 11 academic staff members and a number of national and international consultants, who have established a long-term association with its programmes. Together they have expertise encompassing a wide range of interests in health economics, epidemiology, health care financing and related fields.

Activities

General Activities

Although the Centre is basically committed to research in the areas related to health economics, our academic staff is fully committed to the regular teaching of health economics at undergraduate and graduate levels in Thai and to an international graduate MSc course in health economics in English. We also offer several regular short courses in English in specialised areas of health economics for graduates and provides other specialised courses in collaboration with Governmental ministries and other institutions.

The Centre has national and international research programmes encompassing broad interests in health economics, with special attention on areas; such as, health policy, health care reform, and control of tropical diseases.

Activities as a WHO Collaborating Centre

Activities on Terms of Reference

1. To conduct international courses for MSc in health economics;
2. To conduct international short courses in health economics;
3. To conduct collaborative research nationally and internationally;
4. To have information exchange in health economics through various mechanisms;
5. To have technical cooperation through linkage agreements with national and international centres;
6. To have activities under regional linkage with Sri Landa and Myanmar

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