PM Initiates Committee to Enhance Universal Healthcare Services

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed Public Health Minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew to establish a committee aimed at improving services within the universal healthcare program. The objective is to streamline healthcare access for the public, including the elimination of the current requirement that patients must visit their designated hospitals first for medical care.

 

The new committee will focus on digitizing the referral process, reducing paperwork, and facilitating the transfer of patients to other hospitals when necessary. Patients will still require a referral document, but the process will become more efficient.

 

Efforts to minimize hospital wait times and enable medication delivery to patients without requiring in-person visits to hospitals are also part of the plan to enhance convenience and reduce healthcare costs.

 

The proposed changes will grant patients the flexibility to seek care at any hospital of their choice, similar to individuals with private health insurance policies. The goal is to create a patient-centric healthcare service.

 

Dr Cholnan said the policy guidelines, divided into 13 groups for implementation, align with the Prime Minister’s efficiency-focused health policy.

 

A committee dedicated to the development of the national health system will also be formed, chaired by the Prime Minister and led by Dr Surapong Suebwonglee as its secretary.

 

The Public Health minister added that he plans to discuss with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to push for a special law that will address its workforce needs while allowing it more flexibility than existing CSC regulations.

 

By Paul Rujopakarn

 

Full story: NNT 2023-09-14

 

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[retarius]

Oh! Great Plan. Create great a new committee. I would never have thought of that in a million years how innovative, we are obviously in good hands with this new government ????

[arithai12]

4 hours ago, retarius said:

Oh! Great Plan. Create great a new committee. I would never have thought of that in a million years how innovative, we are obviously in good hands with this new government ????

So let's see, you are the PM and you want to improve universal healthcare services for those with lower income. Good. Now, how would you go about it ? Single-handed, dictator like? You sure you have the time and expertise? Or would you need some experts?

But of course if you like to bash the new government before it even acts, then go ahead you don't really need an excuse.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, arithai12 said:

So let's see, you are the PM and you want to improve universal healthcare services for those with lower income. Good. Now, how would you go about it ? Single-handed, dictator like? You sure you have the time and expertise? Or would you need some experts?

But of course if you like to bash the new government before it even acts, then go ahead you don't really need an excuse.

The reason he is the PM and head of the Executive Branch of government is that he had majority support of the Parliament House. He can and should establish through his cabinet of ministers recommended budget priorities such as health and welfare of the Thai people that can be presented to the House for legislative consideration and funding. 

I'd rather see this kind of consideration than historical propensity to fuel military spending. 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed Public Health Minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew to establish a committee aimed at improving services within the universal healthcare program. The objective is to streamline healthcare access for the public, including the elimination of the current requirement that patients must visit their designated hospitals first for medical care.

Did Anutin not do this during his reign as health minister, or did he have other priorities?

[bamnutsak]

6 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Now, how would you go about it ?

Well, assuming this is a priority, and upgrades to the current medical services are one of the top three Public Health issues, you work with your MoPH Minister to make sure he has this as a top 3 task, and ask him for recommendations within 30 days.

 

What you don't do is direct him to form a committee. That's just lazy and incompetent. 

 

Let him figure out the best way to fulfill the task you've agreed with him is important.

 

Forming a committee here is, while the Thai way (middle path), is a pre-admission of failure.