Health permanent secretary Dr Narong temporarily removed

[webfact]

Health permanent secretary Dr Narong temporarily removed

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha today signed an order appointing commerce permanent secretary Ms ChutimaBonyaprapat to head a fact-finding committee to investigate alleged conflict between public heath permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethapat and political appointees at the Public Health Ministry.

The prime minister’s order followed a recommendation from Public Health Minister Ratchata Ratchatanawin that Dr Narong be removed from Public Health Ministry.

However, the prime minister wanted an investigation to be undertaken first before the transfer of Dr Narong.

During the investigation, Dr Narong was temporarily moved out of the ministry to be attached to the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate the probe.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/health-permanent-secretary-dr-narong-temporarily-removed


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-11

[pedro01]

Not so permanent then

[Robby nz]

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha today signed an order appointing commerce permanent secretary Ms ChutimaBonyaprapat to head a fact-finding committee to investigate alleged conflict between public heath permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethapat and political appointees at the Public Health Ministry.

Be interesting to see who these 'political appointees' were appointed by.

After all he is the one who defied Yingluck and came out the winner.

[Prbkk]

What goes around comes around and the more things change, the more they stay the same...and similar cliches

[greenchair]

Bet the election commission, (that will be terminated ) wishes they organised those elections now.

Seems that nobody won in the end.

[JAG]

Oh I'm sure that the members of the Election Commission, and the good Doctor, will emerge from it all smelling of roses!

After all they played their parts didn't they?

[givenall]

So he was the temporary Health secretary

Edited March 11, 2015 by givenall

[Chris Lawrence]

Should have just appointed the wife, kids, step-brother, father in law, mother in law, cousins and nephews into the positions. Family are exempt from this type of skulduggery.

[Srikcir]

"Dr Narong was temporarily moved out of the ministry to be attached to the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate the probe"

When Yingluck did something similar with Chief of NSC Thawil, the Consitutional Court was all over her for taking an unconstitutional act - even though his performance rating was unaffected and his new position as Assistant to the PM was considered a lateral position. Obviously, the Junta writes its own rules and needn't concern itself about any unconstitutional acts. By definition all its acts, policies, and directives are considered automatically constitutional. For the Junta there is no checks and balances.

[webfact]

Public health chief transferred
The Nation


Dr Narong Sahametapat

Permanent secretary removed after row over health scheme

BANGKOK: -- THE INTENSE conflict over the universal healthcare scheme has finally cost Dr Narong Sahametapat his top job at the Public Health Ministry.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has signed an order to transfer Narong from the post of permanent secretary of the ministry to an inactive post at the Office of the Prime Minister, pending an investigation into why the conflict erupted and put the ministry in a negative light.

The transfer has angered a large number of Narong's compatriots and friends. Health Professionals Association chairman Sakhon Nata has vowed to mobilise 1,000 supporters to the Public Health Ministry today to protest against what they see as an unfair transfer order.

"He speaks up for us and he gets punished," Sakhon said.

Dr Prachumporn Booncharoen, president of the Thai Federation of Medical Centre and General Hospital Doctors, also attacked the transfer order. She said that instead of launching a probe against Narong, the government would do better to investigate the National Health Security Office (NHSO).

"I can tell you the moves against Narong will cause widespread ramifications," Prachumporn said. "While we don't want to see a rally of doctors, we will in the end have to gather and fight for justice."

Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin, however, yesterday said he was not worried about possible discontent from the transfer of Narong.

Narong had openly clashed with the NHSO over the management of the universal healthcare scheme in recent months. Led by Narong, state hospitals under the ministry's supervision had stopped submitting reports on their implementation of the scheme to the NHSO. These hospitals had even threatened to stop doubling as the scheme's registrars.

Given that this scheme covers about 48 million Thais, their moves threatened to have a broad impact on the public.

Negotiations between Narong and Rajata, who chairs the NHSO board, had taken place lately but there was no satisfactory conclusion.

Rajata yesterday said he had ordered an investigation against Narong and had set up a fact-finding panel for the purpose.

He also made clear that Narong, who will retire at the end of October, would not be at the helm of the Public Health Ministry pending the probe results.

"The prime minister has already signed his transfer order," Rajata said.

An informed source said Dr Surachet Satitramai, deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, would serve as the acting permanent secretary in the face of Narong's order.

Narong and his supporters insist that the ministry, which is mainly responsible for the implementation of the universal healthcare programme, should have a say in the management of the scheme and its funds.

They claimed the NHSO had not managed the scheme efficiently enough, as evidenced by the number of state hospitals struggling financially under the weight of the scheme.

However, several health advocates, the Rural Doctors' Society and patient networks do not agree with Narong's moves.

In a related development, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission has received a complaint against the NHSO over alleged irregularities in the management of the universal healthcare programme.

The complaint alleged that the NHSO had used the scheme's funds for unlawful purposes, for example by allocating some grants to private hospitals' projects.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Public-health-chief-transferred-30255833.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-12

[webfact]

Hundreds of health officials gather to support Dr Narong



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of public health officials wearing blacks and state nurses gathered in front of the Public Health Ministry Thursday morning to give morale support to Dr Narong Sahamethapat after he was abruptly transferred to be advisor at the Prime Minister's Office.

They also carried posters and banners protesting the transfer saying it was unfair.

The gathering was kept under close monitoring by police and soldiers as public gathering of more than five persons civil on political reason is a violation of the existing martial law.

Dr Narong arrived and greeted his supporters but declined comment on reason behind his abrupt transfer.

He received flowers from the supported who demanded he be reinstated.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the immediate transfer followed a recommendation from Public Health Minister Ratchata Ratchatanawin that Dr Narong be removed from Public Health Ministry.

However, the prime minister wanted an investigation to be undertaken first and during the investigation, he was temporarily moved out of the ministry to be attached to the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate the probe.

Dr Narong will serve as Gen Prayut’s adviser on national health research and development pending an inquiry into charges of internal disputes between the permanent secretary’s office and the National Health Security Office.

Gen Prayut also signed an order yesterday appointing commerce permanent secretary Ms Chutima Bonyaprapat to head a fact-finding committee to investigate alleged conflict between Dr Narong and political appointees at the Public Health Ministry.

Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin also on Wednesday appointed Dr Surachet Satitramai as acting permanent secretary for health, replacing Dr Narong.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/hundreds-of-health-officials-gather-to-support-dr-narong


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-12

[Eric Loh]

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

[smedly]

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

I think it really comes down to the subject matter for the protest - not unrealistic tbh

I like the idea that the PM is bringing him on board as an advisor, I suspect the real target of this investigation is the NHSO

[Eric Loh]

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

I think it really comes down to the subject matter for the protest - not unrealistic tbh

I like the idea that the PM is bringing him on board as an advisor, I suspect the real target of this investigation is the NHSO

The advisor mentioned to save face. He was sacked and posted to an inactive role. Really all about the money or rather who control the budget. His hard stance and recalcitrance attitude are his fallings as he was unable to solve the year old problem. Just watch how fast this issue will be resolved without him and that will give you a big clue.

[Robby nz]

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

I think it really comes down to the subject matter for the protest - not unrealistic tbh

I like the idea that the PM is bringing him on board as an advisor, I suspect the real target of this investigation is the NHSO

Don't worry about it Eric is just bitter because the Dr stood up to Yingluck and she had to back down.

[Chris Lawrence]

"Dr Narong was temporarily moved out of the ministry to be attached to the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate the probe"

When Yingluck did something similar with Chief of NSC Thawil, the Consitutional Court was all over her for taking an unconstitutional act - even though his performance rating was unaffected and his new position as Assistant to the PM was considered a lateral position. Obviously, the Junta writes its own rules and needn't concern itself about any unconstitutional acts. By definition all its acts, policies, and directives are considered automatically constitutional. For the Junta there is no checks and balances.

You may be right Srikcir, but they don't have a constitution at present.

Narong appears to have plenty of support in the medical ranks?

Who appointed Dr Narong?

[Chris Lawrence]

Just did some more reading on this.

Dr Narong has been trying to run an effective health care system for the government.

The doctor was transferred to the generals staff as a special advisor, with a 42,000 baht allowance a month on top of his normal salary.

The Public Health ministry's Permanent Secretary Office (PSO) has been in conflict with National Health Security Office (NHSO) for several months over the management of the Universal coverage healthcare scheme (UC) supervised by the NHSO. Dr Narong suggested that the PSO manage the healthcare budget, while the NHSO believes that the PSO proposal would create conflicts of interest. The Doctor suggested this proposal as the NHSO is poor in the management of the UC budget allocation which is causing problems for a number of PSO hospitals.

One of the major issues that this Thai Government has is not spending money along with not the right personal able to give guidance in matters of spending/governance.

Committees were set up to resolve the issue but Dr Narong and associates boycotted the meetings.

The lads in the health care system see Dr Narongs actions as maintenance of the Thai Health system.

Whilst the appointed military types see someone not kowtowing to their demands.

A state’s healthcare system is expensive, with armatures running the system they may dismantle social services needed not only to provide basic healthcare, but create issues that may have catastrophic reach into public health management. Hope the NHSO has an idea what they are doing?

Edited March 12, 2015 by Chris Lawrence

[96tehtarp]

112

[Eric Loh]

Just did some more reading on this.

Dr Narong has been trying to run an effective health care system for the government.

The doctor was transferred to the generals staff as a special advisor, with a 42,000 baht allowance a month on top of his normal salary.

The Public Health ministry's Permanent Secretary Office (PSO) has been in conflict with National Health Security Office (NHSO) for several months over the management of the Universal coverage healthcare scheme (UC) supervised by the NHSO. Dr Narong suggested that the PSO manage the healthcare budget, while the NHSO believes that the PSO proposal would create conflicts of interest. The Doctor suggested this proposal as the NHSO is poor in the management of the UC budget allocation which is causing problems for a number of PSO hospitals.

One of the major issues that this Thai Government has is not spending money along with not the right personal able to give guidance in matters of spending/governance.

Committees were set up to resolve the issue but Dr Narong and associates boycotted the meetings.

The lads in the health care system see Dr Narongs actions as maintenance of the Thai Health system.

Whilst the appointed military types see someone not kowtowing to their demands.

A states healthcare system is expensive, with armatures running the system they may dismantle social services needed not only to provide basic healthcare, but create issues that may have catastrophic reach into public health management. Hope the NHSO has an idea what they are doing?

Chris, don't think Prayuth is taking side and certainly not a question of Narong not kowtowing to his demand. Prayuth is just frustrated with his stubbornness to compromise and work out an amicable solution. He has given him and Rajata a time frame to break the impasse and Narong refusal to even attend meetings has left Rajata no choice but recommend his sacking. At the heart of this impasse is the breakdown of who should manage the health budget. I think PSO argued that universal health is a social welfare and loss is expected while Narong insist that the budget must be tightly controlled and balance.

[Chris Lawrence]

Just did some more reading on this.

Dr Narong has been trying to run an effective health care system for the government.

The doctor was transferred to the generals staff as a special advisor, with a 42,000 baht allowance a month on top of his normal salary.

The Public Health ministry's Permanent Secretary Office (PSO) has been in conflict with National Health Security Office (NHSO) for several months over the management of the Universal coverage healthcare scheme (UC) supervised by the NHSO. Dr Narong suggested that the PSO manage the healthcare budget, while the NHSO believes that the PSO proposal would create conflicts of interest. The Doctor suggested this proposal as the NHSO is poor in the management of the UC budget allocation which is causing problems for a number of PSO hospitals.

One of the major issues that this Thai Government has is not spending money along with not the right personal able to give guidance in matters of spending/governance.

Committees were set up to resolve the issue but Dr Narong and associates boycotted the meetings.

The lads in the health care system see Dr Narongs actions as maintenance of the Thai Health system.

Whilst the appointed military types see someone not kowtowing to their demands.

A states healthcare system is expensive, with armatures running the system they may dismantle social services needed not only to provide basic healthcare, but create issues that may have catastrophic reach into public health management. Hope the NHSO has an idea what they are doing?

Chris, don't think Prayuth is taking side and certainly not a question of Narong not kowtowing to his demand. Prayuth is just frustrated with his stubbornness to compromise and work out an amicable solution. He has given him and Rajata a time frame to break the impasse and Narong refusal to even attend meetings has left Rajata no choice but recommend his sacking. At the heart of this impasse is the breakdown of who should manage the health budget. I think PSO argued that universal health is a social welfare and loss is expected while Narong insist that the budget must be tightly controlled and balance.

Eric, don't shoot the messenger. I just wrote what I saw. The news reports mentioned above are very sketchy on what the problem is. If you have more to back up your report, let us know.

What it comes down to is who' wilfulness (stubbornness) is affecting the efficient running of the Thai health system. Now can this type of information be reported from a regional level 'if' a hospital system is suffering? Something like that might be seen not in the best interest of the current regime?

It’s a brave move to stand against a government that is not running with a constitution and under military rule, speaking out and having rallies?

Who is Rajata and qualifications in managing the finances of a state health system?

It just keeps on giving this story, as to what may be happening in a country where the press is only reporting on stories that have a sympathetic bias to the current regime.