NHSO greenlights 60 million baht for robotic cancer surgeries
 
 
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has given the green light to allocate a budget of 60 million baht for the provision of robotic surgery to 600 patients diagnosed with prostate, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, or bile duct cancer.
 
This fund, earmarked for the fiscal year 2024, falls under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) that ensures healthcare accessibility for more than 47 million people in Thailand.
 
Announced during the NHSO board meeting chaired by Minister of Public Health Dr. Cholnan Srikaew on 25 December, this budgetary approval aligns with the government's initiative to elevate standards and enhance the quality of public health services as part of the "30-Baht Upgrade" campaign.
 
This campaign aims to broaden the reach and inclusivity of UCS, initially known as the “30-Baht healthcare scheme.”
 
Three cancer patient groups, including prostate cancer; colorectal cancer (specifically CA rectum and CA Anal Canal group); and liver, pancreatic, and bile duct cancers (commencing with the Whipple Operation service), are eligible for Robotic surgeries. 
 
The pilot program aims to benefit roughly 500 prostate cancer patients, 50 with colorectal cancer, and another 50 individuals diagnosed with liver, pancreatic, or bile duct cancer.
 
The cost of equipment sets for robotic surgery is estimated at around 100,000 baht per case, accounting for the entire 60 million baht budget.
 
Healthcare units providing robotic surgeries under the UC scheme must be approved by the Service Development Committee for One Day Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery appointed by the Ministry of Public Health or other committees appointed by NHSO.
 
 
Seven public hospitals have passed this assessment and begun providing robotic surgeries to UCS beneficiaries.
 
“Robotic surgery is a medical technology with precise surgical accuracy, particularly in accessing difficult areas. It helps reduce surgical complications, making patient treatment safer,” said Dr. Cholnan.
 
“The recovery time is faster, leading to shorter hospital stays, reducing contact between patients and operating surgeons. This technology enhances service quality and safety. Its benefits are considered highly advantageous for the public.”
 
NHSO Secretary-General Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee added that the committee responsible for setting operational criteria and managing the NHSO fund had previously approved adding one-day surgery and minimally invasive surgery into the UCS.

The services have been available for the scheme beneficiaries since 1 October 2022.
 
The committee approved the proposal to include robotic cancer surgery on 19 October into UCS, leading the NHSO board to give the final say recently.
 

"This move is to bring the highest level of medical excellence and public health services into the government's healthcare scheme. The NHSO has also been tasked with introducing the minimally invasive surgeries into the scheme and reporting to the working committee to be informed of the progress," said Dr. Jadej.
 
The NHSO has collaborated with relevant agencies to set up the service criteria, reimbursement guidelines, and evaluation methods for robotic surgeries across all three government healthcare schemes — UCS, Social Security Scheme, and Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme.
 
They are the Public Health Ministry's Committee for the Development of One-Day Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, the Comptroller General's Department, the Social Security Office, and the Thai CaseMix Center.
 
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