Revolution in healthcare: Study on financing hospitals started!

Revolution in healthcare: Study on financing hospitals started!

The challenges facing Thailand's healthcare system are once again in focus, with the Health Research Institute (สวรส.) working hand-in-hand with the Thailand Development Research Institute (ทีดีอาร์ไอ) on a significant study. The focus here is on the SAFE Financing system, which is crucial for the cost structure of services in state hospitals and medical schools. This study has the clear aim of examining the topics of “co-financing” and “extra billing” in depth. According to Hfocus, the results should be made available to political parties in order to integrate them into their election programs.

Director Dr. Supakij Sirilak by สวรส. has outlined an ambitious time frame: the study should be completed in the next 4 to 6 months. A particularly pressing issue being addressed is the resolution of the financial problems in the Gold Card program, where an open dialogue between the National Health Security Office (สปสช.) and service providers is essential.

Range of topics and the upcoming conference

From the actual cost structure of state hospitals to the expenses of medical schools - the study aims to shed light on all relevant factors. Dr. Supakij emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive evidence-based information base. “We have to find a balance that is acceptable to everyone involved,” he explains. Discussion about the higher costs of medical schools compared to general hospitals will also be part of this research.

In this context, a national conference on “Comprehensive Healthcare” will be held at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok from December 11 to 13, 2025. This event aims to disseminate ideas about the financial direction of healthcare and will have the main concept “SAFE Financing”. It is expected that numerous decision-makers and interested parties will take part in the conference in order to develop solutions together.

Focus on health promotion and prevention

Many countries around the world, including Thailand, are striving for universal health coverage (UHC) and are increasingly relying on health promotion and prevention. An analysis by PMC shows that Thailand is pursuing innovative approaches in this area. Various institutions such as the Ministry of Public Health, the National Health Security Office and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation will work together to promote spending on preventive services.

Spending on health promotion and prevention in Thailand amounted to approximately US$308 million in 2010. Expenditure in this area rose from 8.3% of total health expenditure in 1994 to 10.8%. This increase demonstrates the growing focus on proactive health measures. However, it is also clear that the curative part is often neglected in political discussions, which makes a comprehensive health strategy more difficult.

Another factor contributing to political instability is the NHSO's difficulties in communicating the need to fund preventative services. In this environment, it is essential to find innovative solutions and approaches to take healthcare in Thailand to a new level. The upcoming studies and the conference promise to provide valuable impetus in this direction.