Thailand is taking a significant step towards becoming a leading medical and wellness hub in Asia through a strategic partnership between Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Limited and the Medical Technology Council. The “Lab Benchmarking 2025” project, their collaborative initiative, aims to raise the standards and quality of medical laboratories nationwide to meet international benchmarks, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a premier healthcare destination.
This ambitious project targets the participation of 150 laboratories across Thailand, with a goal to increase the number of internationally accredited labs by 20% by 2025. This initiative is pivotal in enhancing the credibility of Thailand’s healthcare system, boosting confidence among both local and international healthcare service users, and aligning with the Thai government’s vision of establishing the country as a medical hub.
At the core of this collaboration is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Mr. Somchai Jeadsermanant, President of the Medical Technology Council, and Mr. Mihai Irimescu, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics (Thailand). This partnership facilitates in-depth data analysis of Thailand’s medical laboratories, comparing their operational data with international standards in the Asia-Pacific region. This benchmarking process is essential for driving process improvements and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic results, which are crucial for effective disease diagnosis and treatment.
Somchai Jeadsermanant highlighted the current landscape of Thailand’s accredited laboratories, noting over 1,300 certified facilities. These include those accredited by the Medical Technology Council, ISO standards certified by the Department of Medical Sciences, and those recognized by the Thai Ministry of Public Health. The data collection survey under the “Lab Benchmarking 2025” project will enable laboratories to evaluate their standing relative to industry peers, adopt best practices, and enhance their services to meet global standards.
Furthermore, this initiative is set to bolster Thailand’s burgeoning medical tourism industry by ensuring that the country offers high-quality healthcare services that meet international expectations. “In an era where diagnostic services are paramount to public well-being, we encourage all our member laboratories to participate actively. The assessment process is designed to help identify areas for improvement, integrate cutting-edge technology, and refine diagnostic processes,” Somchai stated.
Mihai Irimescu reaffirmed Roche’s commitment to empowering Thai laboratories with modern technology and updated knowledge, essential for tackling future healthcare challenges and fostering sustainable growth in the medical tourism sector. He also emphasized the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce capable of competing globally.
“The primary challenge lies in keeping pace with rapid technological advancements while maintaining efficient management and building a skilled workforce. These factors are critical for upholding high standards as testing volumes increase,” said Irimescu. He further added that the “Lab Benchmarking 2025” project will not only strengthen Thailand’s healthcare system but also support its Medical Hub policy by ensuring that medical services meet international standards, attract more medical tourists, and distribute knowledge and technology across all regions.
Roche’s bi-annual Lab Benchmarking surveys invite laboratory representatives to complete an online questionnaire covering quality management, operations, cost efficiency, and innovation. Participants receive real-time comparative insights against industry peers. The 2025 project will accept applications from April 1 to July 31, 2025, with analytical results expected in the third quarter of the year.
Under the agreement, the Medical Technology Council and Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) will collaborate to utilize the collected data for enhancing laboratory service quality. Findings will be presented at the Thailand LA Forum 2025 and published in medical journals. Laboratory representatives can submit their data online at Lab Insights.
Irimescu concluded that this collaboration will reinforce Thailand’s image as a regional center of medical excellence, ensuring equitable and sustainable access to high-quality healthcare for all.
