The National Health Security Office (NHSO) says the decision to change from using funds taken from the government’s financial loans for handling Covid-19 to the NHSO’s very own funds will not impact services for new Covid-19 patients.
The change within the NHSO’s Covid-19 budgetary management took effect on Monday.
Funds initially earmarked for the treatment plus care of patients meant for non-Covid-19 diseases beneath the universal health coverage scheme, and left abandoned during the past Covid-19 breakouts, have been diverted in order to finance Covid-19 therapy and care at this point, Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, secretary-general of the NHSO, said yesterday.
“During prior outbreaks, the treatment of a number of other diseases that weren’t urgent had been put on hold while private hospitals were struggling to cope with the workload associated with Covid-19, ” he said.
These remaining funds are believed to be adequate for financing the therapy and care of Covid-19 patients, he mentioned, adding that in the event the work turns out to require more spending budget than expected, the government has promised to give the NHSO with increased funds.
Meanwhile, he said, those infected along with Covid-19 are advised to look for medical treatment at a health care unit where they are entitled to receive free of charge care under their own healthcare schemes.
“From right now on, the NHSO will reimburse a personal hospital for Covid-19 treatment only in emergencies such as regarding life-saving treatment, by way of example to treat lung bacterial infections in Covid-19 individuals, ” he mentioned. “Those patients in whose condition happens to weaken later on while getting care at home could seek urgent help from the NHSO via its hotline simply by calling 1330, which could then help coordinate their admission to a hospital for therapy. ”