Thailand sets new guidelines to govern “medical tourism”

Thailand’s medical community is rolling out a set of guidelines for medical tourism as the country prepares to open its borders to international visitors. According to the director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, yesterday’s first meeting of the medical hub committee resulted in 3 decisions.

The first outcome from the meeting set a new policy pertaining to quarantine requirements for Thais and foreigners arriving from abroad for medical treatment. Visitors will be required to show proof that they were tested for Covid-19 no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in the country, and are required to complete a 14 day quarantine. He added that those intending to travel to Thailand for medical procedures will be required to undergo 3 Covid-19 screenings while here – before, during, and after the course of the treatment.

Thai patients arriving from abroad will have the option of quarantining at a state hospital, where the cost of their stay will be partially covered by state health insurance, or at an alternative hospital, which must be booked in advance and paid for by the patients themselves. Foreign patients, however, will have to book quarantine arrangements in advance, as state quarantine is reserved only for Thai citizens.

The second decision, he added, was the endorsement of the slogan “Beyond Healthcare, Trust Thailand,” which is part of the government’s push to establish Thailand as the world’s healthcare capital.

Lastly, was the move to promote the production of locally made medical equipment, including Covid-19 test kits, personal protective equipment, disinfectants, and treatment equipment.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post