Private hospitals under fire as government cracks down on skyrocketing costs

The Internal Trade Department tightens control on private hospitals, urging them to play ball in the battle against soaring medical expenses.

The government demands transparency and cooperation from over 300 private medical institutions.

Wattanasak Sur-iam, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, has thrown down the gauntlet in a bid to bring down the cost of living for citizens. In a meeting with the Private Hospital Association, he sought their collaboration in ensuring strict adherence to the law.

To empower the public, private hospitals are now mandated to prominently display clear QR codes, providing a direct line to check drug prices and service rates. Concerned citizens spotting discrepancies can lodge complaints through the department’s hotline at 1569. Wattanasak has promised swift action.

“Violators will face legal consequences.”

Not content with just QR codes, the Internal Trade Department is raising the stakes. Private hospitals are now under the microscope to reveal the purchase and sales prices of 200 crucial drugs, medical supplies, and assorted service charges linked to medical care. This detailed breakdown, mandated by the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme, will be scrutinised by the department.

Under the UCEP programme, Thai hospitals are obligated to provide emergency healthcare for up to 72 hours, offering a safety net for those in urgent need, irrespective of their registered hospital, reported Bangkok Post.

Wattanasak emphasised the government’s stand.

“We requested private hospitals cooperate by maintaining the prices for medicines, medical supplies, healthcare services and medical fees.”

To put the power back into the hands of the people, the department’s website now hosts a comprehensive list of 32,419 items, including those covered by the UCEP programme and the Thai Standardized Drug Code. Each pharmaceutical and medical service fee is assigned a code, ensuring nationwide standardisation.

“There was positive feedback after we published hospital prices on our website, allowing people to compare prices before seeking help.”