Bangkok: The Prime Minister has officially inaugurated the "30 Baht Universal Healthcare Scheme" aimed at enhancing public health and ensuring stability among village health volunteers (VHVs). The initiative is set to benefit 38 million Thais by providing access to essential medical services and is projected to reduce healthcare costs by 22 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra presided over the launch event for the Ministry of Public Health's service project, themed '30 baht, treatment everywhere, stable village health volunteers, strong public health for Thais to be far from NCDs' under Health Region 4 for the 2025 fiscal year. The project, active from May 1 to September 30, targets a reduction in healthcare expenses by enhancing access to services. Key attendees included Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, Mr. Surawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Ms. Manoporn Charoensri, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, and over 10,000 VHVs.
In her opening address, the Prime Minister highlighted the rapid lifestyle changes among Thai citizens, particularly in dietary habits, rest, and physical activity. She emphasized the adage that being disease-free is a great fortune, aligning with the Ministry of Public Health's stance that a healthier populace leads to budget savings and less strain on healthcare staff. She stressed the importance of individual health as a foundation for happiness and productivity, urging citizens to maintain a clean and safe 'home' for their bodies.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which remain a significant health concern despite reduced mortality rates due to public health efforts. She emphasized the importance of preventive measures and public health education in maintaining individual and national health, which are crucial for the country's progress.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to various sectors, including government agencies, healthcare professionals, and VHVs, for their dedication to fostering public health awareness and enabling access to healthcare services. She acknowledged the role of VHVs as vital communicators of government health policies, encouraging them to disseminate health knowledge widely.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister noted the expansion of telemedicine services in several provinces, which facilitates easier access to medical consultations and treatments. She praised VHVs for their ongoing efforts in bridging communities with healthcare services and fostering behavioral changes towards better health understanding.
The Prime Minister concluded the ceremony by visiting booths from different agencies that offered health-related knowledge and distributing hearing aids to elderly individuals with hearing impairments.