HIA 2008 Chiangmai

On August 28, 2008 Healthy Public Policy Foundation hosted a seminar on “HIA in EIA: From Past to Present and Future Direction” at Kamthon Suwarnakij Meeting Room, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. The objectives of the seminar are to disseminate and exchange the knowledge and experience in HIA for further development of HIA in EIA and to promote the upcoming 2008 Asia and Pacific Regional Health Impact Assessment Conference, which will be held during December 8-10, 2008 in Chiang Mai. The seminar was attended by environmental consultants, public and private project owners, and government officers from Department of Health and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP). There were altogether 55 participants.

In the seminar, the progress of HIA development in EIA and approaches to HIA in the Independent Organization Bill were presented by representatives from relevant organizations as follows:

Mr. Sonthi Kochawat – ONEP

Ms. Siriwan Chandhanachulaka – HIA Division, Department of Health

Mr. Suphakit Nuntavorakarn – Healthy Public Policy Foundation

During the Q&A and comment session, some participants proposed that health standard or indicators should be set in EIA system apart from the existing environmental standards, while some raised their concerns over the issues of health impact study in EIA. In the last session, representative from Healthy Public Policy Foundation presented some details of the HIA 2008 Conference and invited all the participants to this event, which will be an open stage for all sectors to learn and share their experience of HIA in EIA and in other dimensions in order to determine future directions of HIA in EIA.

Posted: 10/10/08