NHSO Launches Investigation into Bangkok Healthcare Complaints

[webfact]

 

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok is forming a team to investigate a surge in alleged malpractices at the city’s primary healthcare clinics. The move comes as a response to the 3,771 complaints that have been reported.

 

The complaints started coming in after the NHSO adjusted their universal healthcare service to mitigate overcrowding issues at the city’s hospitals. According to Dr Suphan Srithamma, head of the committee on quality and standard control for public health services, the concerns of the service recipients would be addressed according to the health security office law. 

 

In 2022, the NHSO implemented a policy, OP Anywhere, that allowed universal healthcare cardholders to access outpatient care at any national hospital during emergencies. However, a recent amendment now requires cardholders to first visit a primary healthcare clinic and can only go to a hospital if necessary.

 

The majority of complaints (3,020 cases) since February 27 have been directed at primary healthcare clinics. Other complaints target transferred hospitals (462 cases) and public health centres (289 cases). Common issues include denial of requests for hospital transfers and failures to issue the correct transfer documents.

 

The 30-baht healthcare scheme in the capital may also face difficulties as many private hospitals have withdrawn from the project due to resource and manpower shortages. However, Dr Srithamma assures that after the investigation is complete, the NHSO will address all findings to ensure clarity and accuracy.

 

TOP: File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-05-01

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[Chris Daley]

Thai doctors are very special.

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, a recent amendment now requires cardholders to first visit a primary healthcare clinic and can only go to a hospital if necessary.

Which is the way it should be, hospitals are for sick people, not people with a runny nose or headache.