Bangkok (People's Daily) - Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha urged village health volunteers to help the public understand the safety and efficiency of COVID-19 vaccines at an award ceremony on Wednesday.

Photo provided to People's Daily

The ceremony was held on the 2021 National Health Volunteer Day at Santi Maitri Building, Government House. Prayut presided over the award ceremony to honor 17 village health volunteers.

He took the opportunity to thank over 1.05 million village health volunteers across the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, village health volunteers are frontliners who have been working together with the Ministry of Public Health's family care team and public healthcare workers in an efficient manner to earn recognition and praise from both the Thai people and global community.

The village health volunteers also play a significant role as community healthcare managers in providing knowledge and promoting self-reliance in healthcare among the local people, he said.

Prayut also mentioned his COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday together with some of the cabinet members, and the government's intent to acquire vaccines that are safe and efficient for the people to "bring back the Thai smiles". He said that the village health volunteers were urged to create understanding and boost people's confidence on the advantages and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.