NHSO's work comes to halt over budget doubts
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THE NATIONAL Health Security Office (NHSO) has suspended some of its operations in the wake of budget-management doubts raised by a financial watchdog.
The suspension already applies to any plan from the NHSO to sign contracts with foundations, non-governmental organisations and civil organisations where works are not directly related to health.
NHSO has also suspended the delivery of basic help to service providers in the event of medical errors.
Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin ordered the suspension last Friday after hearing about the financial inspectors’ doubts.
NHSO secretary-general Winai Sawasdivorn yesterday explained that the query simply stemmed from the different legal interpretations between his agency and the watchdog.
“For example, the law has allowed up to Bt400,000 in financial help in events of medical errors – such as those where ambulances carrying seriously-ill patients are involved in accidents,” Winai said, “We believe medical workers should get help in such events for their morale.”
He said since 2003, the NHSO board had passed a resolution |to ensure that medical workers|in such cases were entitled to help too.
The government’s financial watchdog, however, has expressed doubts lately about such budget management.
Review panel created
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yutthawong has established another committee to review the different interpretation of the National Health Act between the financial watchdogs and the NHSO.
The committee, which has an inspector-general of the Office of the Attorney General as its chair, also comprises members from the Council of State, the Budget Bureau, and the Comptroller-General’s Department.
There will be representatives from the Public Health Ministry and NHSO on the committee too.
“The review will likely take one month,” Winai said.
He said the NHSO board would convene a meeting next Monday to discuss the points of doubt raised by the financial inspectors.
Rajata yesterday said he expected the NHSO to provide explanations related to the doubts within 15 days.
The financial watchdog started looking into the NHSO’s budget management in response to complaints from the Thai Federation of General and Central Hospital Doctors.
The federation’s adviser, |Dr Prachumporn Booncharoen, said she wanted to see the probe results of the financial watchdog.
