THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Survey shows a healthy health system

Survey shows a healthy health system

Satisfaction levels cited by subscribers to Universal Healthcare Coverage (UC) and the service providers this year were at 95.66 per cent and 67.91 per cent respectively – an increase from last year’s 91.86 per cent and 66.21 per cent– according to survey results released recently. 

Such high percentages and significant increase in satisfaction in the 9,280-respondent survey, which was conducted by the Dhurakij Pundit University Research Service Centre (DPURSC), shows that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has been thorough in taking care of people, said DPURSC director Kiat-anan Luankaew. It also reflected the people’s sense of ownership of the programme. 
However, he said the NHSO should focus on improving what was least satisfactory: people’s awareness of their benefit entitlements.
According to the survey, the best-known things about UC were: that Thai ID cards can be used to access UC services, that all Thais are entitled to UC, and that people can seek medical treatment at the facility they are registered with.
The least-known things were: that childbirth expenses coverage was now unlimited in terms of number of children (57 per cent); that the registered medical facility could be changed up to four times a year (25.83 per cent); and that the NHSO hotline number is 1330 (52.63 per cent).
Kiat-anan said the survey was designed to accurately reflect the subscribers’ opinions by dividing the target areas into 13 zones as per NHSO service areas. Two provinces were selected to represent each zone and a district was randomly chosen using Google Maps.
Kiat-anan said it was understandable that service providers would have a lower satisfaction rate than subscribers, because of the fatigue involved with dealing with so many patients.
However, he pointed out that the service providers’ increase in satisfaction this year was a good sign. 
He suggested that the NHSO set up working guidelines and cooperate with others to lessen obstacles and burdens on the system and its users. This included informing the public about their rights and the steps required to obtain UC services.

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