healthcare
- Thailand News
Dengue outbreak: Triple surge in cases challenges Thai healthcare system in first half year
A shocking surge in dengue patients has been recorded in the first half of this year, with numbers almost triple that of the same period last year, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The dengue outbreak continues to challenge the healthcare system, as the number of infected individuals soars. From January 1 to June 28, 27,377 dengue cases…
- Retire in Thailand
What is healthcare for retirees in Thailand like?
If you’re considering spending your golden years abroad, Thailand has likely popped up on your radar. It’s an enticing proposition – a gentle climate, vibrant culture, and an excellent standard of living often for far less than you’re accustomed to spending. But as your thoughts turn towards sunny vistas and beachfront views, it’s important to pause for a moment and…
- Thailand News
Thailand launches first mobile renal dialysis unit for remote patients
A groundbreaking initiative in Thailand’s healthcare sector recently saw the Public Health Ministry introducing the country’s first mobile renal dialysis unit. Its creation aims to reach bedridden patients residing in the more remote regions of the country, which previously had limited access to such specialised medical treatment. The announcement was made yesterday by Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul. He indicated…
- Thailand News
Healthcare shortage tackled by Thai government with new strategy
The Thai government’s Public Health Ministry laid out strategies to address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in the nation’s state-operated medical sector. Within the next three years, these measures aim to expand the country’s cadre of medical personnel according to current legal parameters. The government spokesperson, Anucha Buraphachaisri, indicated the interventions may result in a 40% increase in doctors and…
- Business News
Pharmaceutical R&D lab investment drives JSP Pharma to target 30% revenue growth
JSP Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Thailand) Plc, a company specialising in the distribution of medicines and nutritional supplements, is eyeing a 30% increase in revenue this year, which is partly due to the introduction of its new pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) service for the growing medical industry. In 2020, JSP earned 436 million baht, albeit incurring a loss of 17.4 million…
- Thailand News
Thai professor Krisana Kraisintu wins Medical Scientist of the Year
Distinguished pharmaceutical researcher Krisana Kraisintu received the prestigious title of Medical Scientist of the Year, for her outstanding work in the research and development of antiretroviral drugs, anti-malarial medications, and herbal treatments. The 71 year old’s crucial discoveries have brought affordable healthcare solutions to millions of people not only in Thailand but across the globe. The award presentation takes place…
- Business News
Bangkok’s YMID initiative drives Thai medical innovation to meet Asian demand
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) is continuing to push forward the Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID) initiative in Bangkok, aiming to meet the growing demand for a central medical hub in Asia, according to NIA’s executive director, Pun-Arj Chairatana. Situated in Bangkok’s Yothi neighbourhood, the YMID project seeks to decrease imports of medical innovations and establish a Thai medical innovation…
- Health
Thailand strengthens disease prevention measures in overcrowded prisons
The Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Corrections, and the National Health Security Office have forged an alliance to improve and monitor health conditions for the 260,000 prisoners across Thailand, stressing that all prisoners should have equal access to medical treatment. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the department’s permanent secretary, has said that a united effort by the three parties will…
- Health
The growing popularity of Thai supplements
For centuries, traditional medicine has been practised in various cultures around the world, utilizing natural remedies and holistic approaches to treat a broad range of health conditions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in traditional medicine, with many individuals turning to natural supplements as an alternative or complementary treatment to conventional medicine. Thai supplements have gained popularity…
- Health
BMA launches healthcare scheme to aid elderly in Bangkok
A new healthcare scheme was launched in the capital on Monday to help Bangkok’s elderly people. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently conducted a workshop to launch the Urban Sandbox: Klang Model at BMA General Hospital. The initiative aims to enhance healthcare services for the growing number of elderly individuals residing in Bangkok’s inner-city areas. The workshop was led by…
- Health
Leading Thai health expert calls for govt to reform healthcare system
One of Thailand’s leading health experts reckons the government needs to reform the kingdom’s healthcare system. Assoc. Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, dean of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, suggested at a recent seminar on Health and Wellness Sustainability that the government must shift toward people-centred health services, adding that it needs to cater to the expectations of the population. He identified…
- Cannabis
The healing power of cannabis in Thai herbal medicine
Want to explore new ways to heal your body and mind? Then Thailand’s thriving medical cannabis clinics is your answer. Since the legalization of cannabis in 2022, these clinics have popped up all over the country, offering innovative treatments for a variety of ailments. But wait, what exactly is Thai herbal medicine, and how does cannabis fit in? Well, let’s dive…
- Thailand News
British couple in Bangkok raise money for son born with rare illness
A British couple living in Bangkok is raising £70,000 (2.85 million baht) to support the care of their five-month-old baby boy Finley who was born with an extremely rare illness. Finley Phillips was born with a rare chromosomal disorder that affects just 10 people worldwide. In the womb, Finley developed a duplication of chromosome 14 which has resulted in craniosynostosis…
- Thailand News
Man says his leg was amputated without permission in Thailand
A Thai man who says his leg was amputated without his permission requested help from the Lawyers Council of Thailand on Wednesday after a failed lawsuit. The patient told lawyers he went to the hospital to receive treatment for a wound on the sole of his foot. He underwent surgery and stayed in the hospital for seven days to be monitored.…
- World News
Chiang Mai, Thailand rated No.1 city for healthcare in southeast Asia
In a recent online survey, Chiang Mai was rated the No.1 city in Southeast Asia for the overall quality of healthcare. Two more Thai cities made the top 10, with Bangkok coming in at No.3 and Pattaya coming in at No.4. The index uses data from the website Numbeo and works out the results as follows… “Health Care Index is an…
- Thailand News
Thailand provides over 600,000 free cancer treatments in 9 months
Under the universal healthcare ‘Gold Card’ scheme, the government of Thailand provided 603,060 free cancer treatments in nine months. The free cancer treatments were provided by the National Health Security Office between October 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, according to Deputy Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek. The number exceeded the government’s expectations by almost double. The government initially predicted that the…
- Thailand News
The biggest Internet activity in Thailand is healthcare, survey finds
A new survey has found that the most common reason for using the Internet in Thailand is for healthcare consulting and services. For the Thailand Internet User Behaviour Survey of 2022, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency questioned 46,348 respondents from across Thailand between April and July. The results were announced yesterday. While Thailand has 24 million Internet users in 2012,…
- Thailand News
Which type of health insurance do you need in Thailand?
There are numerous different types of health insurance available in Thailand to meet your needs. But with so many options, choosing a health insurance plan can be complicated, especially if you are a foreigner living in the country. When the question arises as to what type of health insurance you should get, you’ll need to make a decision based on…
- Bangkok News
Elderly woman near Bangkok dies of Covid-19 after request declined
An elderly woman near Bangkok has died of Covid-19 after a hospital allegedly declined her family’s request for an ambulance. The incident happened in Nonthaburi, a province bordering Bangkok. A foundation that tried to help the 82 year old woman said that she had several health other conditions as well. These included diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease…
- Home Services
How Thailand is shifting to aged care in the home
Thailand’s ageing society is growing rapidly, with a quarter of Thais who are 60 years and older forecasted to account for one-third of the population by 2040. Despite expectations that the country would see a rapid escalation of assisted living and nursing homes being developed, COVID-19 became a game-changer. While traditionally many Thais have lived and grown up in multigenerational…
- Thailand News
Health and safety a priority as kids return to Bangkok schools after two turbulent years
The Thailand Ministry of Education yesterday allowed schools to reopen their doors for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the nation in 2020 in line with the government’s transition to living with Covid as an endemic disease. Some children celebrated their return to school in style in Tak province, northern Thailand, taxied in by elephants, as reported in…
- Cannabis News
3 cannabis medications added to Universal Healthcare Coverage
Three traditional cannabis based medications have been added to Universal Healthcare Coverage, commonly known as the gold card scheme, by the National Health Security Office. The three medications include: paralysis treatment, treatment for sleep problems and food consumption, and treatment for muscular pain and limb numbness. The three were approved by the NHSO board meeting on May 2nd, according to…
- Thailand News
Siriraj Hospital announces Thailand’s first successful multi-visceral transplant
Thailand’s first successful multi-visceral transplant, where one of the intestines is replaced along with other abdominal organs, was completed by Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital. The surgery is a simultaneous transplant of multiple organs, including the liver, small intestines and sometimes the stomach. For the patient in Thailand, surgeons transplanted the intestine, liver, pancreas, and stomach. The…
- Travel
City Guide: 5 private hospitals to get treated in Bangkok
If you ever need medical attention in Bangkok, you can be confident that the Thai capital’s health care services are outstanding and on the level with western standards. Private hospitals offer one of the best services because they have high-end equipment and facilities, internationally qualified doctors, and multilingual employees. Bangkok’s private hospitals don’t look like the average and common hospitals.…
- Bangkok News
Top Bangkok virologist compares not getting vaccinated to “walking into traffic”
In a Facebook post yesterday, Thailand’s most renowned virologist compared remaining unvaccinated from Covid-19 to walking into speeding Bangkok traffic. He commented on how elderly Thais have had reservations about being vaccinated, even though they are a high-risk group. “… like inviting an accident by stepping off the pavement into the busy traffic on Silom Road.” The virologist, Yong Poovorawan,…
- Thailand News
Bangkok doctor warns of healthcare collapse if Covid-19 is not dealt with
A Bangkok professor at Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Medicine warns that Thailand’s economy isn’t strong enough to handle Covid-19 if the situation gets out of hand. He noted that Thailand’s economy is weaker than the economies of European countries. “With fewer economic resources than wealthy countries, the impact of the outbreak will be too tough to handle”. Several healthcare resources in…
- Thailand News
Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients to no longer cover Covid-19 starting March
Thailand’s Public Health Minister announced today that come March 1, Thailand’s Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients will no longer cover Covid-19 infections, meaning Thais will need to pay out of pocket if they are admitted to a private hospital or facility for treatment. A night at “hospitel,” which is a hotel that works with a hospital to offer isolation services,…
- World News
Healthcare standards in Laos need to be improved, country’s health minister says
Health officials in Laos are being pushed to do a better job of increasing access to and enhancing the quality of the country’s public healthcare system, similar to how private hospitals and clinics operate. Although Laos has been able to protect people’s right to healthcare in recent years, and most people now have access to better quality health services, the…
- Covid-19 News
Intentionally catching Omicron is a really stupid idea
OPINION “Why not just catch Omicron and get it over with? It’s a mild cold and will boost immunity, right?” Not a day goes past when the opinion is expressed widely, and often, on various social media around the world, where they mix their school biology classes with various theories on the internet and come up with a “cunning idea”.…
- Bangkok News
DDC approves fourth vaccine dose for medical workers and patients with underlying diseases
Following the uptick in Omicron cases, mostly involving travellers entering Thailand, a subcommittee on immunisation of the Department of Disease Control had given the green light for the fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for medical and public health personnel, frontline health workers, patients with chronic diseases, and those taking immunosuppressants, according to director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong. The director said…
- Thailand News
2023 healthcare budget of 207 billion baht proposed including Covid-19
In order to add Covid-19 testing and treatment to the benefits of universal healthcare in Thailand for 2023, the National Health Security Office is requesting a 207 billion baht budget. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting on Thursday of the NHSO which came up with the figure to request to include funding for Covid-19. The budget for…
- Bangkok News
2 people infected with Covid-19 rally in Bangkok to demand medical care
A small group of people, including 2 who claimed they were infected with Covid-19, held a rally outside the Government House in Bangkok yesterday evening, calling for the Thai government to provide proper medical treatment for coronavirus patients. 25 police officers dressed in personal protective equipment, or PPE suits, were called to monitor the rally. Just 7 people attended the…
- Visa Information
Thailand Retirement and Digital Nomads – Missed visa opportunities | VIDEO
Two visas Thailand should be promoting right now! If there were two more groups, more perfect suited for the Thai lifestyle, I don’t know what they are. Thailand’s immigration laws for long-stays have always been a challenge, retirement is just one of those categories. It would seem like a perfect win win situation to invite people to come and live…
- Bangkok News
190 Bangkok clinics and hospitals accused of corruption
190 clinics and hospitals in Bangkok are accused of falsely billing the National Health Security Office, or NHSO, for medical treatment that never happened. Back in July, NHSO filed a complaint against 18 clinics in Bangkok for 72 million baht in fraudulent claims under the government’s “Gold Card” universal healthcare scheme. The NHSO found that clinics and hospitals falsely billed…
- Crime News
Doctor urges investigation into widespread healthcare fraud
A doctor representing 74 medical clinics yesterday petitioned the House of Representatives to investigate fraud allegations in patient access to Thailand’s universal health coverage scheme and ensure transparency in its implementation. The move follows an order by the Department of Health Service Support last week to temporarily close 2 Bangkok clinics for allegedly defrauding the scheme. That order came after…
- Covid-19 News
TAT and Michelin Guide team up to deliver thanks to healthcare workers
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the local Michelin Guide are coming together to support local restaurants while offering “gratitude and thanks” to first responders in the healthcare field for being so vigilant during the Covid-19 global pandemic. The corporate duo will deliver a total of 1,800 food boxes from 18 Michelin starred restaurants from Bib Gourmand and The Plate…
- Health
Thailand ranked sixth best in the world for healthcare
Sixth best healthcare system in the world! Well done Thailand. The Kingdom is gaining worldwide recognition for quality healthcare services after placing sixth in a ranking of countries with the best healthcare systems. The ranking was conducted by the US magazine CEOWORLD who do annual rankings of a number of world businesses and services. The rankings came out last month.…
