National Health Security Office (NHSO) plans to purchase more than 8.5 million antigen test kits and hand them to people.   
 
          The plan was endorsed by the NHSO board chaired by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during its meeting on 19 July. The purchase, equivalent to one billion baht, will be funded by the budget under the Thai government's emergency loan decree. 
 
          Anutin said that the surge of COVID-19 cases increased the demand for antigen test kits, which can perform the testing results faster and easier than RT-CPR tests. 
 
          Rajavithi hospital network is assigned to work with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization to find suppliers. 
 
          After the purchase, the NHSO will distribute the devices to both Thais and migrant workers for free. The distribution may be done through health facilities. 
           


          Dr Jadej Thammathach-Aree, the NHSO secretary-general, said that the NHSO would obtain antigen test kits within August and distribute them in September this year. 
 
          During the meeting, the NHSO board agreed to pay compensation to health workers who collect COVID-19 victims' bodies-- the job that is considered high risk for their health. 
 
          A health worker will receive 2,500 baht per collecting one body. This fund will also cover personal protective equipment worn by a health worker and a body bag for the decease. 
 
          In addition, the NHSO board approved the amendment of its regulation to allow the government's healthcare schemes beneficiaries to request COVID-19 health promotion and disease prevention services from any health facilities. The services include vaccination and hospital quarantine. Previously, patients must get the services from their registered hospitals only.