Adjustments to Thailand’s ‘innovative health services’ sought
Expansion of “innovative health services” under the universal coverage scheme will require adjustments that consider patient-centred services while adhering to efficient use of resources, according to Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office ( NHSO ).
He said during a recent visit to Nan where he met people of a provincial civil society class and visited a physician and medical center, it is important to take into account the practical needs of patients and services providers.
Dr. Jadej said he wanted to hear from practitioners about their experiences with the earlier this year’s modern health services program.
He claimed that the plan was developed to lower hospital congestion, lower hospital overcrowding, and shorten patient wait times.
” It is crucial for both the service providers and the people who receive the service to respect and assume control of this system,” he continued.
Under the plan, patients can receive seven types of service from partnering units in their region, including pharmacies, nursing and midwifery clinics, physiotherapist clinics, health systems clinics, conventional medicine clinics, and alternative medicine clinics.
Over 13, 000 hospitals are already registered with the modern health services system in 46 provinces, and there are plans to expand the system nationwide.
Dr. Jadej noted that the scheme is moving smoothly, but there are still some things that need to be improved and raised with the deciding committee.
Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office, centre, is discussing with dentist Nathana Suksansirikul, left, and her colleagues on their experiences in joining the innovative health services scheme. Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
These range from modifications to the requirements under the current reporting system to changes to the types of services offered by partnering units.
For instance, a patient can visit a pharmacy with two or more ailments, while the current computer-based reporting form allows the servicing unit to report only one ailment per visit, he said.
Another problem is that some already-enrolled pharmacies unrealistically state a high daily intake of over-the-counter patients they prescribe to, according to Dr. Jadej.
Mr Wiboonchai Pantip, a community pharmacist, said since enrolling with the NHSO, he has regularly received patients under the scheme, adding that he spends about 10 minutes on each patient.
He said that the scheme is only available to patients who have one or more of 16 medical conditions that can be treated with over-the-counter medications. He added that some patients must be referred to a hospital.
For each patient they treat each day, each pharmacy in accordance with the scheme receives 180 Baht.
Each patient is given one treatment per session for dental services, according to Dr. Jadej, adding that a patient can receive a tooth filling and dental hygiene at one visit. Under the universal coverage plan, patients can get dental care without making a payment three times per year, where the service providers are grouped.
Dentist Nathana Suksansirikul, who is the only dental office in Nan, claimed that the organization has received positive feedback from local residents. ” On average, we receive 10-15 patients]per day], and the number is increasing”, she added.
