The process of enabling universal healthcare (UC) program members to avail health services from any hospital is all set for launch, says Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister. This plan is tailored to amplify the delivery of health services, permitting UC members to seek health services at any hospital they are eligible for. The implementation is projected to initiate within selected health zones competent for such an operation.
A health zone is a conglomerate of provinces sprawled across 13 total zones, one of them being the capital city, Bangkok. The scheme, termed by Dr. Cholnan Srikaew as a “quick win”, is intended to cause transformation within 100 days of the government’s establishment. Dr. Cholnan, who also helms the Pheu Thai Party, affirmed that the scheme would roll out in two or three health zones under the deliberation of the health permanent secretary. This will act as a precursor to an announcement for the program’s nationwide implementation.
In his words, “We’ll monitor and evaluate [the progress of the program],” he said. “We’ll rectify the issues prior to the scheme’s nationwide implementation. Individuals can receive medical care at any hospital solely by displaying their identification card.”
Members of the UC program can avail any medical treatment enlisted under their UC scheme. To tackle complaints of unequal access to health services, a committee will be constituted to examine health coverage stipulations provided by different healthcare programs. Dr. Cholnan also addressed the need for digitalization of health service provision systems for easy access and to alleviate overcrowding at hospitals.
A source within the Public Health Ministry stated that the likely commencement site for the scheme will be the 8th health zone which covers Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Bung Kan provinces. 88 hospitals under the ministry’s control are situated in this zone. Reports suggest that health records have been digitized and shifted to a cloud-based system, and the National Health Security Office has established a funds disbursement system.
Emphasizing the enequeness to expedite the free cervical cancer vaccination program that targets girls within the age group of 11-20, Dr. Cholnan iterated that over 6,000 women in the country are detected with the ailment every year with an alarming mortality rate of 2,000 annually. The ministry aims to dispense a minimum of 1 million doses within the 100-day period with the targeted demographic including girls within and outside the education system.
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