Health Ministry Inspects Dialysis Clinic Over Patient Charges

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Officials from the Ministry of Public Health conducted an unannounced inspection of a dialysis clinic in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district following complaints that it charged patients for treatment. The investigation was led by Chittrat Meethongthanakorn, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, along with Dr Somruk Jungsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and Dr Sadet Thammaphat-aree, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO). The team aimed to ensure compliance with the government policy guaranteeing free dialysis treatment for all patients.

Preliminary checks showed the clinic had been operating for six to seven years with full licensing under both the Health Establishment Act and the Medical Clinic Act. It held contracts with the NHSO (Gold Card scheme) and the Social Security Office. The facility contained 12 dialysis beds, staffed by six nurses per shift, including two specialists and four general nurses.

Officials examined two cases that led to the complaints. In the first case, a patient who began treatment in May reportedly declined to use their state hospital entitlement and instead chose to pay 1,500 baht per session. In the second, a patient previously treated at a private hospital continued receiving dialysis at the clinic under the free-treatment scheme. However, during a policy transition period between April and May, their eligibility could not be processed due to a missing pre-authorisation (PA) record, resulting in temporary out-of-pocket payments. The clinic has since refunded both patients in full.

The Ministry reiterated that all medical facilities must ensure patients access their free dialysis entitlement. Even if a patient initially refuses to use their benefit, clinics are required to facilitate access and cannot accept signed refusals. Facilities found to have coerced or allowed patients to sign away rights face penalties of up to one year’s imprisonment or fines not exceeding 20,000 baht. Patients are also entitled to full reimbursement under government policy.

Dr Sadet stressed that the NHSO will review its authorisation and verification processes to prevent similar problems during system transitions. He reaffirmed that dialysis treatment must remain free of charge in every case. So far this year, 164 complaints have been filed concerning dialysis fees and investigations into all affected facilities are ongoing.

Key Takeaways

• Health officials inspected a Phasi Charoen dialysis clinic after reports it charged patients against government policy.

• Two affected patients have been fully refunded, with officials confirming the clinic is licensed and contracted with state schemes.

• The Health Ministry warned all facilities to comply with the free dialysis policy or face legal penalties.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-10-12