Self-test kits for liver fluke will be accessible through UCS
 
The National Health Security Board (NHSB)approved the inclusion of self-test kits for Rapid diagnosis of Opisthorchiasis in its new Benefit Package aiming at screening for infection of a liver fluke – one of the major health problems in Thailand that are associated with liver and bile duct cancer.
 

Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health and Chairman of the NHSB, said the new health benefit was approved during the board meeting on 18 January, making Rapid diagnostic test kits for opisthorchiasis available and accessible to Thai people.
 
According to NHSO data, 195,207 cases of bile duct cancer were reported between 2014 and 2022, especially in the northeastern region of Thailand.
 
Around 28% of the cases were detected in National Health Security Office Region 7 and 8, based in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani province, respectively.
 
More than 11% of the cases were reported in National Health Security Office Region 9   Nakhon Ratchasima, and 10% in National Health Security Office Region 1  in Chiang Mai.
 
The prevalence of bile duct cancer has been continuously increasing each year. There were 25,604 new cases in 2022 alone, or an average of 38.74 per 100,000 population.
 
Dr Cholnan emphasized that bile duct cancer can be treated if detected early. The introduction of self-test kits for liver fluke will help people detect the cancer risk early and receive treatment before developing severe symptoms.
 
The self-test kits will be available for individuals aged 15 and above who are at risk or have a history of liver fluke infections, have taken medication to treat the disease or have a habit of consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish.

These urine screening kits can be obtained at health units near homes, such as pharmacies, nurse clinics, and general medical clinics partnering with the NHSO. The test takes approximately 10 minutes and costs of 150 baht per kit.
 
"Bile duct cancer is a public health issue in Thailand. Therefore, access to self-test kits is a crucial solution enabling individuals at risk to screen themselves and receive treatment from the early stages,” said Dr Cholnan.
 
“This new health benefit will also contribute to achieving the Thai government’s policy to establish comprehensive cancer care for all.”
 

NHSO Secretary-General Dr Jadej Thammatacharee stated that this new health benefit originated from a proposal within a research project focusing on the development of a benefits package for the Thai national health security system.
 
Increasing accessibility of liver fluke self-test kits is also supported by the Ministry of Public Health.
 
However, some other benefits to prevent liver fluke infections and bile duct cancer are already included in the UCS, such as fecal examination to detect liver fluke eggs in the at-risk population aged 15 and above.
 
This type of screening is provided to 142,500 individuals a year. The test takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs around 200 baht per test.
 
For the new health benefit, urine liver fluke self-test kit, the NHSO targets 157,500 individuals this year.
 
“Following the NHSB  approval of including the self-test kits into the health benefits package, we will implement the decision and communicate with the public to make them aware of this service,” said Dr Jadej.