The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Busadee Santipitaks, recently welcomed the ambassador of Somalia to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, alongside a delegation from Somalia and the Republic of Kenya.
The delegation included health officials from Somalia and Kenya. Their visit to Thailand was part of an initiative aimed at promoting medical tourism in East Africa. This project is currently being led by Morakot Janemathukorn, who serves as the Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Thailand, Somalia, and Kenya across various sectors. This comprised of economic development, public health, and the halal food industry.
Santipitaks highlighted Thailand’s ambition to become a leading global medical hub, emphasising its potential to meet the diverse medical needs of East Africa. Additionally, the delegation noted a significant demand for comprehensive medical services in East Africa due to shortages in specialised care and medical equipment.
They pointed out that Thailand offers an attractive option for East African patients, providing a wide range of affordable medical treatments and services.
There were also talks on opportunities for trade and investment within the East African Community (EAC), which has a population exceeding 400 million. Overall, the potential for collaboration in
alternative medicine, medical herbs, and halal food products was particularly highlighted as a key area for future growth and partnership.
