The People's Party introduced the sixth member of their public administration team, Dr. Worawit Leerapun, an associate professor from Ramathibodi Medical School, as head of the public health management team and candidate for Minister of Public Health for the People's Party.
On 10 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the People's Party (PP) announced their public administration team under the campaign The Professionals. The sixth member is Dr. Worawit Leerapun, associate professor of Health Systems Science at Ramathibodi Medical School, appointed to lead the public health management team and expected to be the party’s candidate for Minister of Public Health.
The People's Party described his vision with a classic health phrase: “Public health must start from public hardship.” While it may sound harsh at first, Dr. Worawit explained that this phrase serves as a reminder that workers alone cannot achieve success; public policies must support those working to collectively build the population’s health.
Dr. Worawit is an associate professor in Health Systems Science at Ramathibodi Medical School, Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. He is also former chair of the Integration, Collaboration, and Knowledge Management Unit for developing science, research, and innovation systems to strengthen health systems at the National Science, Research and Innovation Policy Office (NSRI). He has been appointed as a key member of the People's Party’s public health management team.
Everyone knows Thailand’s public health system has issues. For example, patients at public hospitals often wake up as early as 4 a.m. to queue, even though a good system shouldn’t burden citizens so heavily. The answer is that with effective management that earns public trust, people wouldn’t have to wait overnight outside hospitals before sunrise.
“Worldwide, strong primary health care is essential. It doesn’t only cover basic care or general disease prevention but also treats common illnesses, especially chronic diseases, at facilities close to home. In modern times, it may not be physically near the home but emotionally close—when patients come here with manageable problems, they can be resolved without needing to wait at hospitals.”
To transform the public health service system structurally and benefit all parties, Dr. Worawit said it must result from cooperation among multiple agencies to provide fair services for patients, doctors, nurses, and all stakeholders involved in the health system. This will turn “public hardship” into “public health” that is fair and sustainable for everyone in the country.