The Public Health Ministry is ready to launch the second phase of the “30-Baht Plus” free health service scheme in March, in Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sing Buri, Sa Kaeo and Phang-nga provinces.
Speaking at the end of a workshop to assess the first phase of the scheme, launched in Phrae, Phetchaburi, Roi-et and Narathiwat provinces on January 7th, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said that the medical services provided have not increased the burden on medical staff to the extent that it has affected their morale.
Instead, he said that the services, under which patients need to show only their ID cards to get access to medical care, were positively received by the public, enabling more convenient access to medical services.
During the one-month trial period, it was discovered that there was only a 3% increase in the number of patients sent to provincial hospitals without letters of patient transfer from district hospitals, which was within the capability of provincial hospitals to bear the burden.
During the same period, 2,288 home deliveries of medicines, 1,693 online doctor’s appointments and 1,388 telemedicine services have been recorded, according to the minister.
