Health Services

The Eighth National Economic and Social Development Plan
 (1997-2001). Part II, Chapter 5, p.24-25.

Date:     1997-2001

Source:     Office of the Prime Minister, National Economic and Social Development Board, Bangkok, Thailand

Subject:     health services

2.1   Enhancing the efficiency, quality and accessibility of health services.

1. Provide health centres and community hospitals with adequate medical equipment and supplies; promote the rotation of physicians and other health officials between local and central units; develop and system of hospital networking by which patient referrals may be implemented from district to district or province to province, if necessary, to take advantage of specialized facilities and experience.
   
   

2. Develop service networks among public hospitals on the one hand, and among public and private hospitals on the other; for the purposes of resource sharing and academic exchange.
   
   

3. Advocate the public health security scheme with enlarged coverage of low-income groups; implement the health insurance system on a more efficient and equitable basis; promote research into the reform of the existing health insurance and other health welfare systems, stressing a unified approach and increased responsibility towards the general public.
   
   

4. Implement a campaign, including incentives, for public hospitals to improve their efficiency and the quality of the services provided, so as to give greater satisfaction to the clients, particularly in terms of convenience, efficacy and staff attitudes.
   
   

5. Promote investment in research and development, as well as the revision of laws and regulations for strengthening self-reliance in the production of drugs, vaccines and herbal medicines, coupled with quality control and development of manufacturing methods meeting international standards, to promote export-oriented development.
   
   

6. Encourage the rational development of Thai traditional medical practices, with their integration into the public health system where appropriate, through the expansion of knowledge, information systems, and quality control of the practitioners and service centres.