Probe against Narong goes ahead

MEMBERS of the committee investigating Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat’s alleged failure to respond to the minister’s policy are all from non-healthcare sectors.
Heading the committee is Commerce Ministry permanent secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Yongyuth Yutthawong revealed details about the investigation yesterday. Narong, meanwhile, has been transferred to an adviser’s post at the PM’s Office, pending investigation.
“I’ve told the committee to complete the investigation quickly,” Yongyuth said. So far he has not given any specific timeframe, saying he could not pressure the panel too much.
Narong was slapped with a transfer last Thursday, an order which caused an uproar among health workers. Many hospitals in provinces from Pathum Thani to Nonthaburi and Chiang Mai are now flying banners to show their support for Narong. Yesterday, a number of doctors also wore black to work.
Dr Prachumporn Booncharoen, an adviser to the Thai Federation of Medical Centre and General Hospital Doctors, said the move was intended to show Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin and Deputy Public Health Minister Somsak Chunharas had no support from healthcare workers.
Pranangklao Hospital ophthalmologist Dr Thapanawong Tang-urai said medical staff at his hospital would wear black till March 31. “After that, we will decide on what we will do next. It will be a nationwide move,” he said.
However, soldiers in Angthong province demanded that Angthong Hospital remove banners saying “We will continue the work of Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat” and “If Thailand does not have good governance, how will government officials and civil servants live?”
Acting permanent secretary Surachet Satitramai could not be reached for comment.
Yongyuth yesterday dismissed criticism that Narong’s transfer constituted a persecution of government officials. “As a government official under the public health minister’s supervision, he has to be co-operative in facilitating the flow of work,” he said.
Narong clashed with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) over the running of the universal healthcare scheme. Raj-ata presides over the NHSO board.
NHSO board member Dr Vichai Chokevivat said he believed the transfer of Narong was appropriate. “He has caused so many problems. Were he allowed to go on with his activities, people would be affected,” Vichai said.
The universal health scheme covers about 48 million Thais. In a bid to pressure the NHSO into handing over more power to manage the scheme and its budget to the ministry, top officials threatened to stop working as the scheme’s registrar.
PM’s Office Minister Suwa-pan Tanyuwattana said yesterday that Narong was assigned to assist with academic work on national health policy and strategies and would work out of the Civil Service Commission building, like others who work with the PM’s Office.