18 of Thailand's state hospitals officially declared 'broke'

[hobz]

12 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

Looks like YL will have to pay for the losses from her failed rice pledging scheme.

 

I wonder who they will pursue for the losses from the 30 Baht health plan.

Health care should be paid by tax money as in every civilized country. 

Private options should be allowed too.

 

[webfact]

Minister to speak on liquidity crunch at 18 public hospitals
By The Nation

 

Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn

 

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn will hold a press conference at 9am on Wednesday on the reported liquidity crunch at 18 public hospitals.

 

The federation of regional and general hospitals posted on its Facebook page that 18 out of 1,000 public hospitals were in the red in the last quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017 and they lacked liquidity because of inadequate financial support from the government.

 

The 18 hospitals have not received enough budget for patients under the universal healthcare programme and some hospitals were seen as having poor budget management, the federation explained.

 

The hospitals with liquidity crunch and running deficits in the first quarter this year included Phra Nangklao Hospital – Bt354 million deficit, Saraburi Hospital – Bt321 million, Uttaradit Hospital – Bt277 million, Sakon Nakhon Hospital – Bt255 million and Surat Thani Hospital – Bt219 million.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30311349

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-05

[jollyhangmon]

53 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

This country needs decent healthcare, way, way more than it needs tanks or subs.

One day I hope the PM will realise there is a lot more pride as a nation to be gained from a good health service, above the totally unneeded military hardware.

The day of him realizing (& acknowledging) that fact will be the day pigs start flying, i'm afraid friend, just look at where he's coming from & his intellect in 'general' ...

On the other hand if they'd spin that occurrence wisely they would save fortunes on interceptor planes which - no doubt - are on their Santa Clause's wish-list too ...   

[Sydebolle]

Well, instead of the three submarines .................... 

[sambum]

Scandalous!

[Epidemiologist Dave]

Why not be realistic and make the 30 baht scheme a 50 baht scheme. This would at least be a step in  the right direction and would be affordable. It might also cut down on the number of people cluttering up the hospitals with minor ailments.

 

 

 

 

[12DrinkMore]

12 hours ago, thequietman said:

a steady line of 'sick' people who routinely are in the hospital everyday for colds, flu and other ailments that they don't need to be there for

 

Same everywhere, not just Thailand.

 

More than a few people think that health insurance is an investment policy.

[baboon]

4 minutes ago, DavetheGreek said:

Why not be realistic and make the 30 baht scheme a 50 baht scheme. This would at least be a step in  the right direction and would be affordable. It might also cut down on the number of people cluttering up the hospitals with minor ailments.

 

 

 

 

They clutter the hospitals with minor ailments because that is where the government doctors are. There are no state GP clinics that I know of, so it is the hospital or private.

[SunsetT]

Too many fingers in the till!

[maewang99]

it's not a 'financial crisis'... 

when the universal scheme was brought out....
 

it was predicated on a minimum Thai GDP growth rate of 5%.... forever... based on a cheap Baht and continued global dependence on human/wage labor manufactured products.....

guess what?

that's not a crisis. it was easily predicted.. and it was.

 

[bkk6060]

1 hour ago, MorristheRunt said:

Tanks, Submarines, silk suits and hair dye all in front of your peoples health, only in Thailand.

 

The Nation of Thailand is true honoured and so fortunate to have General Pryat in charge.

 

Sir we salute you.

Yeah well,  not much better in the USA.  Great health coverage and costs they got going on....

[Expattaff1308]

They could bring in much needed revenue by introducing an affordable Government Insurance Scheme for expats eg. 25 -35,000 per annum to join the 30 baht scheme. Make it a 100 Baht scheme for expats (except they will be, by some, accused of double pricing)

Possibly add conditions that you must be married to a Thai National, lived here continuously for 5+ years etc, to restrict the short stay medical tourist.

Many thousands of expats don't currently need the hospital facilities but would join the scheme as a safeguard for future years bringing in revenue today with no outlay.

Probably asking a bit much I know  but would be a big step in making us feel a bit more welcome after all it's where most of us spend our hard earned cash constantly contributing to the Thai economy.

 

[thurien]

15 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

I live in Hua Hin and use Hua Hin hospital for many basic medical issues. They have a great "Farang Desk" with VIP service. This is a very good hospital for not much money

 

 

you see: They went broke just because of YOU!

[hobz]

Absolutely disgusting rhetoric. 

When the government is spending money on health care for it's own people it's called a LOSS.

When the government is spending money on military weapons it's called an investment or purchase. 

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. 

 

[mrmrmr]

The real problem is corruption. The price for medical products could be reduced by roughly 50% if the Doctors, Surgeons, OR, Hospital managers, Financial departments did not request money from the product suppliers. On average 40 - 60% of the sales value to the hospital ends in the pockets of the above mention persons or departments. 

 

If a total knee replacement price to hospital in Thailand is 50,000 - 65,000 THB, same product to a German hospital is priced at around 900 Euro. So without corruption the price to a Thai hospital could be 33,000 THB instead of 55 - 65K. 

 

Surgeries are not always required and many are done due to benefits involved.

 

Pharma Sector is even worse. 

[JAG]

2 minutes ago, hobz said:

Absolutely disgusting rhetoric. 

When the government is spending money on health care for it's own people it's called a LOSS.

When the government is spending money on military weapons it's called an investment or purchase. 

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. 

 

You're right. But your argument breaks down when you consider to define the governments view of "its own people"

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed. 

[The Deerhunter]

14 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

Looks like YL will have to pay for the losses from her failed rice pledging scheme.

 

I wonder who they will pursue for the losses from the 30 Baht health plan.

That was an election bribe, pure and simple too but one that was justified and I agree with. However Thais need training to not go to the hospital with  coughs colds and pimples on the whatsit.  That is what local clinics were intoduced for.  Don't bog the hospitals down with every little thing. 

[Denim]

The 30 baht health was a good idea when it started and has been a big help to the poor. 

 

But why was it not index linked to account for inflation. Everything else has gone up  except the 30 baht health coverage.

 

Even poor people can come up with a 100 baht these days so the programme needs a complete makeover.

[Wallander4]

Thailand is bankrupt - Collapse is eminent

[elgordo38]

16 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

He blamed the financial crisis facing the 18 state hospitals on poor management and insufficient funding from the universal health coverage programme.

Hold the purchase on those Chinese tanks we need to bail out some hospitals. 

[Artisi]

7 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Hold the purchase on those Chinese tanks we need to bail out some hospitals. 

Sorry - face more important than hospital

[hobz]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

You're right. But your argument breaks down when you consider to define the governments view of "its own people"

The people who they govern, who they claim to be serving!

[hobz]

1 hour ago, Wallander4 said:

Thailand is bankrupt - Collapse is eminent

Yeah, people will get more and more angry, it starts with the poor people who will not be able to afford health care and housing etc. And then the anger spreads,, and then those 10 tanks suddenly will have a good use... I hope it doesn't go to that.. but...

[Lupatria]

Hold it guys! The headlines reading: 

Govt To Buy 10 Chinese Tanks For 2 Billion Baht 

 

were probably fake news and tomorrow we read the real story:

 

"Govt buys 10 Chinese Think-Tanks to solve the problem of hospitals going bankrupt"

[Lingba]

These hospitals are all subsidized by the government so are they really broke ...or is it they are just simply not making a profit

[ToS2014]

4 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

One thing I have noticed about all the hospitals here is they seem to have too many employees.  Lots of people sitting around doing nothing on their phones.  Saw a Dermatologist and there were 5 girls working the front area.  Could get by ok with 2. Great they create jobs, but all seems like a waste.

One thing I have noticed all over Thailand is most businesses have too many employees.  Go in to 7/11 and three girls are discussing something rather important leaving one to manage the line of customers; ever been in Tesco or Big C, ditto.  My wife works at an animal hospital, every day when she comes home the first thing she does is plug in her cell, then says teerak busy today!  Not to get off the healthcare point, just saying....

[Bob12345]

These hospitals are all subsidized by the government so are they really broke ...or is it they are just simply not making a profit

Not sure, but i think when they say "broke" they mean the hospital spent more than it got from the government (they need more subsidy then was budgeted).

 

It was expected they would make a loss but the loss was bigger than they thought it would be.

 

[canopus1969]

1 hour ago, Wallander4 said:

Thailand is bankrupt - Collapse is eminent

Maybe use small words e.g. 'soon' ?

[FangFerang]

For me, this is truthful quote of the day: "He blamed the financial crisis facing the 18 state hospitals on poor management and insufficient funding"