NHSO and BMA Deliver Eyeglasses to 36,000 Children with Vision Problems
 
 
The National Health Security Office (NHSO), in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), has successfully achieved its goal of improving children’s vision in the National Health Security Office Region 13, Bangkok Area — with more than 36,000 children receiving eyeglasses.
 
NHSO’s Secretary-General, Dr Jadej Thammatacharee said that the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) emphasized the importance of children’s healthcare in all aspects — including vision.
 

He recognized that many Thai children have visual problems; therefore, the NHSO has included eyeglasses in the UCS benefits package. This is part of the NHSO's effort to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention services, including nationwide comprehensive vision screening for school-aged children.

The service collaborates with Local Administrative Organizations (LAOs) and schools.  In the fiscal year 2023, over 46,950 students in NHSO Region 13, Bangkok area, received eyeglasses to correct their vision problems —surpassing the NHSO's initial goal of 10,140 students or 463% over-targeted. Among these, 2,521 students required special lenses, accounting for 5.37%.
 

NHSO Region 13 recorded the highest need for eyeglasses for children. Due to the support from the NHSO and BMA, schools and local authorities could conduct proactive vision screening in 647 schools, covering 392,087 students last year. Among them, 49,850, or 13%, were identified as at-risk for vision problems, with 36,311 students, or 73%, receiving eyeglasses — surpassing the initial target of 698 students set by the NHSO.

The total budget allocated for these services amounted to 31.8 million baht. Dr. Jadej noted the notably positive impact of providing eyeglasses to children in Region 13 of NHSO, emphasizing the comprehensive eye care received, which has enhanced vision, learning capabilities, and future development.
 

Dr. Namphet Tungyingyong, Director of NHSO Region 13, revealed that in 2022, only one child with vision problems received eyeglasses, citing various obstacles. These included funding challenges and a lack of motivation among health units, primarily stemming from inadequate compensation for eyeglass services.
 
The number of children receiving eyeglasses services in the NHSO Region 13 increased significantly to 36,311 cases in 2023 due to collaboration between NHSO and various departments within BMA, including the Medical Service Department, Department of Health, and Department of Education that jointly developed the 'Bangkok's Children with Good Vision' project.
 
This project aimed to screen students' vision proactively in 431 schools in Bangkok. It later integrated into BMA's annual policy as part of the "Efficient Area Manager" initiative led by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, aiming to ensure that every school with vision problems receives eyeglasses.
 
Lessons learned from this project provide NHSO with clear directions for helping children with vision problems, including adding visual acuity tests and diagnoses for children with abnormal vision into UCS benefits package. Health units providing these tests will receive compensation at 200 baht per child.
 

Other services include the design of proactive eye screening services at schools, followed by diagnosis, eyeglass fitting, and referrals for cases of abnormal vision that require treatment.
 

The NHSO also implements the strategy to attract the private sector to participate in proactive screening services. Discussions are underway with the Bureau of Health Administration, the Ministry of Public Health on involving affiliated hospitals to provide eye screening services and treatments in National Service Plan.
 
"The success factors stem from the earnest policies and the collaboration of related agencies, including BMA, the Ministry of Public Health, and public and private health units. They enable children in National Health Security Office Region 13 to receive eyeglasses," said Dr Namphet.
 

"What we have achieved is not merely meeting the target but improving the quality of life for children in Bangkok, who now have a clearer vision."