Bangkok: The government is preparing to revise the Village Health Volunteer Act to enhance protection, increase benefits, and improve welfare to better serve the workers. The draft is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in June 2026. Today, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) of the Ministry of Public Health, is preparing to revise the "Draft Village Health Volunteer Act B.E. ...". This includes expanding the maximum age for entry, adjusting working hours for welfare benefits, and increasing protection for senior Village Health Volunteers to better reflect current realities and ensure that no one is left behind. The draft is expected to be ready for submission to the Cabinet for consideration within June 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, the draft of the Village Health Volunteer Act B.E. .... aims to elevate the status, rights, and welfare of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) to receive legal recognition, acknowledging their pivotal role in the healthcare system. Following the latest public consultation on May 8, 2026, the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) incorporated valuable suggestions to revise the key aspects of the draft VHV Act to better align with and address the needs of VHVs.
Three key highlights of the proposals include extending the maximum age for registration as a Village Health Volunteer from 60 to 65 years, reflecting the aging society context. This change encourages participation from healthy and experienced elderly individuals, addressing the shortage of public health personnel at the local level. Additionally, the proposal recommends lowering the minimum service requirement for receiving benefits from 20 to 10 years, accommodating the typical starting age of 40-50 years for VHVs. This adjustment allows for a realistic accumulation of service time and offers tangible access to benefits.
Furthermore, the proposal seeks to expand protection for senior community health volunteers, recognizing their long-term service. The law aims to provide welfare benefits for those whose physical condition declines with age, ensuring they receive support in retirement. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to caring for and understanding all CHVs, ensuring no one is left behind.
Ms. Ploytalay stated, "Once the summary report of all public consultations is completed, along with the finalized and revised draft of the Act, it is expected to be submitted for consideration by the Cabinet in June 2026. Once the draft Act is approved through the legislative process, it will contribute to stability, improve welfare, and boost morale for Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) nationwide."