Medical Devices ASEAN 2018 (“MDA 2018”) – the international exhibition and academic congress on medical devices, technologies, services and general healthcare – opens today and runs until Friday, 13 July 2018 at Hall 1-2, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand. This trade exhibition features a comprehensive range of products and services, including general surgery; orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine; radiology and diagnostic imaging; medical laboratory; IT in healthcare; medical instruments and consumables from more than 150 brands and companies around the world. Running alongside MDA 2018 is the MDA Congress, a series of academic conferences to enhance and develop the potential of medical and healthcare professionals. The event is expected to welcome more than 4,000 attendees from the ASEAN countries.

MDA 2018 is graced by Clinic Prof. Emeritus Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Minister, Ministry of Public Health (“MOPH”); and Dr. Somchai Harnhirun, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry. They hosted the opening ceremony, along with addresses from Prof. Dr. Thanainit Chotanaphuti, Vice President, Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand; Mr. Preecha Bhandtivej, President, Thai Medical Device Technology Industry Association; Mr. Loy Joon How, General Manager, IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. (“IMPACT”); and Mrs. Nichapa Yoswee, Senior Vice President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

The Ministry of Public Health is committed to sustainable development of the national health system

Clinic Prof. Emeritus Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Minister, MOPH, said “MOPH aims to be the core agency in developing the healthcare system with quality, efficiency and equality for the good health of all Thai people in order to achieve a healthy and sustainable society. We also support research that drive innovation, technology and new products to commercial production; which decreases the country’s imports of technology, as well as emphasize the importance of knowledge and skills development of medical and healthcare professionals, which contributes to professional practices in accordance with international standards. We are pleased to play a part in MDA 2018, which serves as a platform dedicated to facilitate the exchanges of knowledge in medical and healthcare technology; and to provide opportunities for manufacturers, dealers and distributers of medical devices to seek advice on matters regarding import, export, regulations, registration and product distribution in Thailand.”

The Ministry of Industry positions Thailand as a medical hub of Asia

Dr. Somchai Harnhirun, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Industry, stated “The Ministry of Industry has set up 10 targeted industries as the engines of growth to promote sustainable economy. Medical hub is among the 10 targeted industries to be given a boost; building on the healthcare businesses and medical tourism – both have pre-existing and strong foundations in Thailand. In order to sustainably position Thailand as the medical hub of Asia, it is necessary to develop medical products that meet users’ needs in the country, as well as improve technology and innovation to position the country as a medical device manufacturer with advanced technology and innovation. These medical products need to be in compliance with international and local standards and regulations to push Thailand towards becoming the medical hub of Asia.”

MDA unveils medical device innovations worldwide

Mr. Loy Joon How, General Manager, IMPACT, revealed “MDA 2018, under the concept ‘Building the Future of Healthcare’, showcases medical innovation and technology from more than 150 companies and brands from across the world; including America, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Running alongside MDA 2018 is the ‘MDA Congress’, a series of academic conferences, to enhance and develop the potential of medical and healthcare professionals. A number of these conferences also provide credits for the continuing professional development of healthcare professionals.”

“MDA 2018 also features several free-to-attend industry conferences, which are beneficial to hospital managers, manufacturers, dealers and distributers of medical devices. The conferences cover an extensive range of topics presented by leading experts from the medical devices, hospital operations, standards, management and investment industries. In addition, we have invited public health government sectors from the ASEAN countries to discuss their upcoming healthcare projects and their countries’ demand for medical devices, bridging the gap for manufacturers who wish to penetrate the ASEAN markets,” added Mr. Loy.

Academic conferences to enhance the potentials of medical and healthcare professionals

Prof. Dr. Thanainit Chotanaphuti, Vice President, Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand, said “The Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand, Thai Subspecialty Pediatric Orthopedics, has collaborated with MDA 2018 to host an academic conference under the theme ‘Pediatric orthopedic: knowledge lower limb disorder’. The conference aims to deliver in-depth pediatric orthopedic education to increase the practice and service efficiency of medical and healthcare professionals, as a means to promote Thailand to becoming a medical hub of Asia. The orthopedic surgeons, who attend the conference, will also receive CME credits for the continuing professional development of healthcare professionals.”

TCEB gears forward Thailand MICE industry with S-Curve industries to penetrate the ASEAN markets

Mrs. Nichapa Yoswee, Senior Vice President – Business, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), stated “As a government agency responsible for the promotion and support Thailand’s MICE industry, TCEB is supporting Medical Devices ASEAN 2018 (MDA 2018) through Connect Businesses and Exhibiz in Market campaigns so that it can become a platform to grow business and support the development of innovation and technology in medical devices industry in Thailand. TCEB believes the support can reinforce and upgrade Thailand’s current position as a leading medical tourism destination of ASEAN and Asia. MDA 2018 belongs to S-Curve industries in Thailand 4.0 policy which are the support target of TCEB as part of the bureau’s goal to help drive this innovative policy, including the goal to help develop Thailand into a regional medical hub and ASEAN’s hub of international trade fair. One highlight of MDA 2018 is it is the first show where TCEB can attract government agencies related to medical industry to establish the booth to provide service and facilitate the business of the delegates. It is the goal of TCEB in upgrading its role as a facilitator for trade show, apart from providing marketing campaigns to the stakeholders. “

MDA 2018 is held from 11-13 July 2018, from 10.00 – 18.00 hour, at Hall 1-2, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand. For more information, please visit www.medicaldevicesasean.com