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Crisis in the Thai health system: Golden card under pressure!
Thailand faces challenges in its healthcare system: budget problems and inadequate reimbursement endanger patient care.
Crisis in the Thai health system: Golden card under pressure!
In Thailand, the healthcare system is in crisis. Given the ongoing challenges in the management of the national health system, particularly with regard to the medical budget, experts and hospital managers are increasingly expressing concerns. The system for patients with a Golden Card is the focus of the discussion - especially the question of inadequate reimbursement rates, which are hardly sustainable for many hospitals. How thecoverage.info reported, current reimbursement rates are not even remotely in balance with the actual cost of treatment, particularly for inpatients.
Dr. Thanapol Riphonmaha, a researcher at Khon Kaen University, calls for a significant increase in the budget for the Golden Card system. The reason for this? Financial resources have not been adapted to Thailand's increasing health needs and aging population over the past decade. In fact, there has been a trend for a long time: health spending only accounts for a maximum of ten percent of the total budget. But while neighboring countries like Vietnam are investing accordingly, Thailand's healthcare budget remains stagnant, impacting the quality and availability of treatment.
Challenges in the financing system
Rector Manop Pitakphakorn from health research is similarly critical of how the National Health Security Office (NHSO) is handling the situation. According to him, the NHSO does not recognize the reality and therefore fails to signal urgency. He emphasizes the need to adapt the budget to the actual costs of treatment and to explore co-financing options to ensure a sustainable system. He also warns of an “information war” that could cause further divisions in the health service and urges reform of the NHSO board.
Also problematic is that while only 58 of over 900 hospitals have cash flow problems, many of these facilities are still able to operate because they generate revenue from other sources. Former NHSO officials such as Yuppadee Sirisinsuk emphasize that these liquidity problems are not caused by excessive staff costs, but by inadequate reimbursement for treatments. The fact that the NHSO has existed for over 20 years and has been able to adapt in times of crisis is a bright spot in the whole misery.
A way out of the crisis?
The solution is not yet in sight, but some experts are thinking out loud about possible steps. Manop Pitakphakorn suggests adjusting the budget to the actual medical costs or reviewing the services offered. A health tax could also create additional financial leeway to address the most pressing problems. However, as long as financial resources are insufficient, the conflict between service providers and buyers in the healthcare system will continue.
As the discussion shows, Thailand's healthcare problems are not new, but they require immediate, sustainable solutions. The challenges posed by an aging population and rising healthcare costs could quickly turn into a real crisis if those responsible do not finally take action. Time is of the essence and it is the responsibility of politicians to set the right course. Reform and additional funding are urgently needed to ensure the quality of medical care for all Thais. People deserve a functioning healthcare system - there is no way around it.