Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Gears Up for New Chairman ‘Mr. Ink’ on September 27th
Bangkok, Thailand – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to welcome ‘Mr. Ink’ as the new Chairman on September 27th, marking a significant milestone for the city’s healthcare system. The BMA is preparing to embrace the new leadership with enthusiasm and dedication to continue providing quality healthcare services to the residents of Bangkok.
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) recently held a press conference to announce the readiness of the BMA to implement the “30 Baht for All” healthcare policy in the Bangkok metropolitan area. Dr. Jedej Thamthatchari Ari, Secretary-General of the NHSO, stated that the implementation of the policy has been ongoing since January 7, 2024, with 46 provinces already in the third phase of implementation. The official launch event for the policy is scheduled for September 27th under the theme “30 Baht for All: Promoting Good Health for the People of Bangkok.” The event will be presided over by Ms. Paetongtharn Chinwat, Prime Minister, with representatives from various agencies, networks, and service units in the area joining forces to promote the policy.
Dr. Jedej emphasized the importance of aligning various healthcare initiatives towards a common goal. To facilitate the implementation of the policy, the NHSO has issued four announcements to ensure compliance with legal requirements. These include setting criteria for service provision, defining criteria for accessing public healthcare services under the policy, linking healthcare data of service recipients in line with the policy, and establishing symbols for service units to inform the public about available services.
Secretary-General of the NHSO, Dr. Jedej, provided an overview of the progress of the “30 Baht for All” initiative, highlighting that the majority of services are provided through units under the Ministry of Public Health’s jurisdiction. As of August 15, 2024, these units have rendered services over 7.57 million times, amounting to a total expenditure of over 5.91 billion Baht. Additionally, units outside the NHSO’s jurisdiction but under the Ministry of Public Health have provided services 251,172 times, with expenditures exceeding 181 million Baht.
Furthermore, public healthcare units not under the Ministry of Public Health have offered services 419,428 times, with expenditures surpassing 314 million Baht. Special government healthcare units have served 10,909 times, with expenditures totaling 20.02 million Baht. Local administrative organization healthcare units have provided services 267,275 times, with expenditures amounting to 24.64 million Baht. Private healthcare clinics and quality drugstores have collectively served 416,315 times, with expenses totaling over 168.13 million Baht.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NHSO, Dr. Lalita Kongkham, highlighted that the current number of eligible individuals with gold cards in the Bangkok area is approximately 5.4 million. These individuals, excluding hidden populations, can access services not only at primary healthcare units but also at 69 health service centers, approximately 280 community clinics, and 1,369 new alternative healthcare units bearing the “30 Baht for All” emblem. Patients can utilize a single ID card for access without the need for referral slips.
Dr. Lalita further explained that the new alternative healthcare units, totaling 1,369, are categorized into seven types, including general medical clinics, dental clinics, quality drugstores, physical therapy clinics, nursing clinics, traditional Thai medicine clinics, and medical technology clinics. These units offer a range of services from general check-ups to specialized treatments, catering to various healthcare needs.
To enhance access and convenience for the public, the NHSO has expanded healthcare innovation in the Bangkok area with an additional 10 types of healthcare services. These include telemedicine delivery services, home blood sampling for bedridden patients, mobile dental clinics, community medical vans for basic healthcare access, telemedicine services in school clinics, health promotion and disease prevention services at shopping malls and businesses, health stations with telemedicine kiosks in communities, healthcare services at gas stations, transportation hubs, and automated kidney dialysis units.
In terms of data linkage, Deputy Secretary-General of the NHSO, Dr. Dusit Kamchaimui, discussed the progress of connecting health data platforms between hospitals and the NHSO. The data integration is categorized into three groups: linking data for identity verification and service utilization by the public, connecting data between the NHSO and healthcare units, and integrating data between hospitals and medical technology clinics. The NHSO aims to link data with all healthcare units in the Bangkok area, with 1,535 units successfully integrated and 84 units in progress.
Deputy Secretary-General of the NHSO, Ms. Duangnapa Pichedkul, highlighted the establishment of a dedicated hotline, “NHSO Hotline 1330, Press 6,” for the public to inquire about services and address any issues related to accessing healthcare. The hotline serves as a platform for individuals seeking information or facing challenges in receiving care, offering appointment scheduling, verifying service entitlements, coordinating hospital referrals, and providing information for accessing health promotion and disease prevention services.
Additionally, the NHSO has introduced a hotline, “NHSO Hotline 1330, Press 5,” for healthcare providers to obtain information and facilitate services, such as verifying service entitlements, linking service provision, obtaining claim codes, checking payment status, and coordinating referrals to medical technology clinics when needed.
In conclusion, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is poised to usher in a new era under the leadership of ‘Mr. Ink,’ with a strong commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to the residents of Bangkok. The implementation of the “30 Baht for All” policy reflects the government’s dedication to promoting accessible and affordable healthcare for all, fostering a healthier and more prosperous community.
