fresh law making them have to “retire” at age 70.
PUBLISHED: 9 Jul 2024 at 05: 04
A bill sponsored by the Public Health Ministry did demand village health volunteers to “retire” at the age of 70, which is opposed by local health volunteers across the nation.
The bill, which will be debated online until July 11 and replaces the current longtime term of health volunteers, aims to reduce the age of the volunteers.
Some in Khon Kaen say it cruel to health participants who have spent decades doing the job without any financial assistance, while others in the northern county of Chiang Mai program to send a text opposing the time limit to the provincial government.
The village health volunteer bill, in the eyes of the Department of Health Service Support ( DHSS), aims to promote the development of their skills and promote family and community health, acknowledge their status, and ensure they receive adequate benefits.
A section headed by the permanent secretary of public health may be established in accordance with the proposed legislation to support and promote the work of health volunteers, and a fund may be established to help them.
One million health participants are active in the advancement of health surveillance at the family and community levels.
The proposed time control, according to Khon Kaen health charity Ketsarin Saengsawat, is unfair to older persons who volunteered to work before the state agreed to give them a monthly income.
” If the time limit applies to new individuals, that’s appropriate. However, she said,” the existing ones may be allowed to work until they die or withdraw.”
She also noted that the job has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to a rise in the death happiness account from 150, 000 to 540, 000 baht.
Another health charity in Khon Kaen, Ura Prapmontri, claimed that some health volunteers have adapted well to the increased use of modern technology. Nevertheless, she said if the state is to create an age limit, 80 may be better.
” If they are forced to retire, we’ll fight this unfairness. Beneficiaries of the regular income are those who depend on it. The volume can help with their family expenses and debts payments”, she said.
The Ministry of Public Health spokeswoman Treechada Srithada said the age restriction wo n’t apply to health volunteers who work before the law becomes law. They are required to file one year after the legislation actually becomes effective, she continued.
She urged them to provide their views now that the legislation is up for public hearings, stating that their views may be taken into account when it is modified before being submitted to the government.