Health Ministry seeks additional 75 million anti-viral pills ahead of Songkran

14 Sept 20:37 Key points summarised by AI

The Ministry of Public Health requested an additional 75 million Favipiravir and Molnupiravir anti-viral pills from the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO).
This procurement aims to prepare for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 infections during and after the Songkran holiday due to increased inter-provincial travel.
The new order supplements 110 million Favipiravir pills previously secured, with 80 million already delivered and the remaining 30 million expected mid-April.
The GPO plans staggered deliveries for the additional Favipiravir pills in April and will negotiate for the Molnupiravir supply, assuring sufficient stock with consistent weekly deliveries.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.