NHSO partners with private telemedicine providers to achieve nationwide service coverage
 
The emergence of COVID-19 has led to new innovations in healthcare services.
One clear example is telemedicine, which has been a topic of discussion for some time before it has been accelerated since the pandemic. 
 
Some hospitals have adopted telemedicine systems to care for patients with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.
 
On a larger scale, the National Health Security Office (NHSO), in collaboration with related agencies, has adopted telemedicine to provide care for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.
 


The technology allows them to consult with doctors online and have medications delivered to their homes, reducing the need for travel and the risk of infection.
 
On the other hand, it ensures that hospital beds are available for those in critical circumstances or with severe symptoms.
 
Even after COVID-19 was declared an endemic disease, telemedicine services have continued to operate and have been integrated into Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS).
 
The medicine home delivery service has also continued to expand, with the NHSO now covering 42 common or minor illnesses.

This service was initially provided to UCS beneficiaries in Bangkok early this year.
 
Receiving positive feedback from the public, we decided to expand this service to an additional five provinces in Thailand’s central region — Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom — from 16 July onward.
 
The UCS beneficiaries in these provinces who experience minor illnesses can now consult with doctors online and have medications delivered to their homes.
 
The consultation has been arranged on four health mobile applications such as Clicknic, Totale Telemed, MorDee and Saluber MD which are managed by private companies partnering with the NHSO. 
 
To date, 13,868 patients received 31,522 consultations. Many of them have returned to use the service multiple times — reflecting the service’s convenience and accessibility.
 

Neil Nillavichian, the CEO of a telemedicine service provider Clicknic Health, told us that the users in Bangkok have provided quite positive feedback.
 
When users try the video calls with the doctors, without relying solely on chat, they are impressed and feel confident with the service. The company also arranges quick medication delivery, which typically taking only three hours.
 
This makes users more likely to return for further services, results in high rates of referrals and repeat usage.
 
Based on his company’s data, people fall sick around four times a year. Half of those cases eligible for telemedicine services. Most of these cases involve symptoms like back pain, muscle pain, nasal congestion, red eyes, and common colds.
 
The other half requires hospital visits for more severe illnesses. Two out of four ratios is a positive number as it helps reduce the burden on hospitals by half, said Neil.
 


Similarly, the patients using Totale Telemed mobile application express their satisfaction with the service. This is confirmed by Totale Telemed executive Dr Smitpha Jongmahaphudit.
 
Most positive feedback came from patients with office syndrome, who found the service and medication to be effective in relieving their pain.
 
They shared their positive experiences and comments on the company’s fan page.
 
With the NHSO’s expansion of telemedicine services in five provinces, these CEOs have answered our call and increased the number of doctors to ensure adequate availability for video consultations with patients for each case.
 
They have also established more medication distribution points in the newly targeted provinces.
 
Some private companies like True Digital Health, which runs Mor Dee mobile application, even move further by installing “True HEALTH” corners in retail stores, wholesalers, or pharmacies, with over 30 branches nationwide. 
 
This move aims to cater to people without smartphones and increase access to telemedicine services widely, conveniently, and efficiently — which is a health infrastructure that will expand service access to the entire country.
 
On the other hand, Saluber MD highlights the timely delivery of medications to patients in their service areas.
 
The company aims to have partnered pharmacies located within a five-kilometer radius of patients' residences to ensure fast and convenient medication delivery within three hours.
 
Currently, they are progressively increasing the number of partners and providing training on collaboration.
 
Having these energetic and passionate companies partnering with the NHSO is the key to achieving nationwide telemedicine coverage.
 

 Their solutions have undoubtedly created benefits for patients and the health system as a whole.
 
We plan to get more players in the private sector involve as service providers. I want to invite the companies out there to join hands with us to build a society where everyone is healthy and happy.
 
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Note: The 42 common or minor illnesses allows to receive services through telemedicine are as follows:
Multiple joint pain, red eyes from viruses, general immune system impairment, inflamed tissues, dizziness/vertigo, headache, food poisoning caused by bacteria, diarrhea, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, fever, abnormal ear balance, chronic eye inflammation, unspecified viral infections, muscle cramps, joint inflammation, acute rhinitis and pharyngitis, common cold, sudden mild headaches with rotational sensation, upper abdominal pain, acute respiratory infections, nasal allergies, stomach/abdominal pain, lower back pain, acute laryngitis, acute thyroiditis, acute upper respiratory infections, acute gastritis, nasal inflammation, acute sinusitis, mild-symptoms COVID-19.