BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has announced plans to introduce a nationwide health mapping system to improve access to primary healthcare by identifying gaps in medical services and matching healthcare resources with local needs. The system will help determine where new healthcare facilities should be established or where existing ones should be upgraded, while improving the efficiency of public healthcare spending. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perisvivatana said the Health Mapping system will integrate data from the Ministry of Public Health, the National Health Security Office, and other relevant agencies to assess the availability of healthcare services nationwide. The information will be used to guide decisions about expanding healthcare facilities and tailoring services to each community’s needs.
The government also plans to coordinate budget planning across the National Health Security Scheme, the Social Security Scheme, and the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme. The three healthcare funds will remain separate, but budget planning and resource allocation will be coordinated to reduce duplication and help healthcare providers deliver quality primary care closer to where people live. The Ministry of Public Health is also working to standardize primary healthcare units through a unified registration and quality assessment system. It is also developing a network of 97 model primary healthcare units to provide integrated services, including health promotion, disease prevention, medical treatment, chronic disease management, elderly care, and support for vulnerable groups. (NNT)
