Thai healthcare crisis: Overworked medics spark reform debate as state hospitals struggle

[webfact]

 

In a stark representation of the nationwide Thai healthcare concern regarding overburdened medical staff in Thailand’s public hospitals, a doctor-turned-actress recently utilised her social media platform to highlight her struggle with the strenuous work environment. Ultimately, she found the situation so unmanageable that she felt compelled to leave her public service role.

 

Amidst this, the National Public Health Ministry faces the visceral challenge of curating an equitable and fosterable working environment for medical staff, while concurrently upholding the highest standards of medical care in public hospitals in the Thai healthcare industry.

 

Deputy director at the Health Systems Research Institute, Jaruayporn Srisasalux, shed light on the issue, labelling the unfair balance as a “deep-seated ache for the public health system”. She identified a generational shift, with young doctors now prioritising work-life balance. Given the choice, they favour the transition to an establishment that caters to these interests.

The issue of fair compensation in Thai healthcare was also highlighted. State-owned public hospitals pay a typical general doctor around 50,000 baht, whereas private hospitals can offer nearly double this amount. According to Jaruayporn, a plausible method to counteract the shortage is to hire additional doctors. But this is impractical in state-owned hospitals due to budgetary constraints and existing regulations.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of The Goal & Partners, Facebook

 

#news

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-overworked-medics-spark-reform-debate-as-state-hospitals-struggle-2

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-03

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[ikke1959]

Indeed reform is needed. Doctors should get a contract exclusively for a hospital so that they can't have their own clinic at home, or they have to choose for a own clinic but than they can't work in a hospital.. Besides that patients have to go to see a doctor first, which can examine if the patient has to go to the hospital. It is very silly as in my case I have to go to the hospital every time to get new tablets, without any examination by the specialist.. Conversation every time: How you? me I am fine no problems. doctor; Ok same medication and see you in 4 months.  me Ok thank you Goodbye...for years already the same...and so are many. It can be done by a "normal" doctor too instead of in a hospital. 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But this is impractical in state-owned hospitals due to budgetary constraints and existing regulations.

Halve the military expenditure and give the budget to the health system.

Open large local clinics manned with doctors and nurses so the public can use that as a first point of call.

This should reduce the burden at hospitals which can then focus on serious issues referred to them from the clinics, instead of dealing with thousands of daily walk-ins with a runny nose or cough.

 

[Man Mart]

Not only that, but the military hospitals are also using up valuable resources. Halfing the military should allow some military hospital resources to be allocated elsewhere where it is more needed. 

[Denim]

More funding needed.

 

How long ago was it that the 30 baht health care began ? 

 

It was launched in 2002 :

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Coverage_(Thailand)#:~:text=The Universal Coverage scheme%2C also,care to the country's citizens.

 

Since then inflation has pushed the price of literally everything up , but the Universal Coverage scheme is still 30 baht.

 

I am all for affordable health care for people but this needs to be reviewed and the rate increased in line with inflation.

[kingstonkid]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The issue of fair compensation in Thai healthcare was also highlighted. State-owned public hospitals pay a typical general doctor around 50,000 baht, whereas private hospitals can offer nearly double this amount. According to Jaruayporn, a plausible method to counteract the shortage is to hire additional doctors. But this is impractical in state-owned hospitals due to budgetary constraints and existing regulations.

The challenge is not at the expert level it is at the GP level.  

 

One thing that is not mentioned is that there is a reason that BNH and high-level hospitals pay more.  all one has to do is look at the qualifications of the doctors that work there and their ability to converse effectively in English.

 

Also a great number of these doctors all work at government hospitals on a limited basis.

 

The bottom line is that they need to hire more doctors that know what they are doing.  Possibly open more hospitals although with the pop decreasing that may work itself out.

 

Yes, people wait a long time in the hospitals but have you ever read about emergency rooms in CDN US hospitals the wait is just as long.  

 

50k is not a bd price although I think that the hours could be cut down.  to maybe give them a couple of days a week off.

[superal]

Not only in Thailand but a global problem . It is a natural progression for newly qualified junior doctors , employed by governments , to seek the private sector employment and thus multiply their income with a lessened workload . There we have it , two classes , those with money can afford the private health but the majority have to lean on the government health systems . Even the UK NHS is crashing . The solution may be to charge reasonable fees at gov; hospitals and thus stop the very minor illness attendees which will ease the burden for medical staff .