Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew heralded the forthcoming introduction of a pioneering initiative, designed to elevate the standard of healthcare delivery in Thailand. This new venture will offer members of the universal healthcare (UC) programme greater freedom to access health provisions at any medical facility. Initially, the scheme will be rolled out in select health zones that possess the required infrastructure to manage the programme effectively.
In the heart of Thailand, 13 health zones epitomize collective efforts to better public health provisions across the provinces, inclusive of the capital city, Bangkok. The final decision on which two or three zones will participate in the initial implementation of the scheme lies with the health permanent secretary, as per Cholnan’s guidelines. Cholnan, in addition to his ministerial role, is also at the helm of the governing Pheu Thai Party.
This decision, pivotal for the broader overview of the programme, will be made prior to any widespread announcements regarding its full-scale roll-out. Emphasising the importance of evaluation, Cholnan made clear that monitoring the progress of the programme and resolving potential issues will take precedence before the countrywide adoption of the scheme. Underpinning the initiative, he said, “People can receive medical care at any hospital by using only their identification card.”
In this new healthcare era, UC members can avail themselves of any medical care or procedure within their coverage plan. Cholnan reinforced the government’s stance to tackle inequalities, announcing plans to establish a committee for auditing healthcare provisions offered by other schemes. He also presented a vision for enhanced health service delivery in Thailand, mapping out a digitisation drive designed to increase accessibility and mitigate overcrowding in hospitals.
An internal source at the Public Health Ministry hinted at the probability of the 8th health zone serving as the launching pad for the scheme. This zone, which encompasses Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Bung Kan provinces, possesses the infrastructure of 88 hospitals under the ministry’s supervision. The source also informed that patient health records have been migrated to a cloud-based system, and the National Health Security Office has rolled out a funds disbursement mechanism.
Moreover, the Public Health Ministry further signaled its determination to bolster public health provisions by announcing its intent to expedite the free cervical cancer vaccination programme, especially targeting girls aged 11–20. The urgency behind this decision can be traced to alarming statistics, showing more than 6,000 women in the country are diagnosed with the disease annually, resulting in 2,000 fatalities. The agency hopes to administer at least 1 million doses within the ensuing 100-day window, encompassing girls both within and beyond the education system, according to reports from the Bangkok Post.
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