Phrae, Phetchaburi, Roi-et and Narathiwat provinces have been chosen as pilot locations where people can access healthcare in all state hospitals by producing just their ID cards, under the government’s “30 baht plus” universal health care scheme, according to Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew.

Under the scheme, he said that the government will accelerate the development of data systems, with identification systems being linked to the data system of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies which agree to join the scheme, so that the National Health Security Office can speed up disbursement of funds to cover medical bills.

The minister also said that the scheme will cover medical services for the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer, adding that “cancer warrior” teams will be set up at ministerial and provincial levels, whose main duty will be to educate people about how to protect themselves against liver, breast, colon, gallbladder and cervical cancer.

Moreover, he said that, on November 8th, the Ministry of Public Health will start providing, free of charge, one million doses of HPV vaccines to females aged from 11 to 20, to prevent cervical cancer, and provide screening services for 100,000 people in November.

Regarding medical services in Bangkok, Dr. Cholnan said there are currently 50 hospitals in the capital’s 50 districts, at which people can access medical treatment adding, however, that the Air Force hospital in Don Mueang district will be expanded to 120 in-patient beds. 60 Rossukhon health centres will also be upgraded.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the National Health System Development Committee approved the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as chair of the committee to upgrade the “30 baht” universal health care scheme.