UHC increases Thailand' health resilience
 
Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) is the key to Thailand's successful management of the COVID-19 health crisis, said the
National Health Security Office (NHSO) 's Secretary-General Dr Sakchai Kanjanawatana.

Spoke at an online panel on the global response to the coronavirus infection, held by the Asian Pacific Society of Health Support Science on 11 September, Dr Sakchai highlighted the crucial roles of UHC in strengthening Thailand's health resilience during the global pandemic.

The panel was joined by multinational health experts, including those from Germany, France, and China.

As of early September, the number of daily confirmed cases in Thailand has declined. The death toll has been halted since June and remained at 53 deceases — following the Thai government's implementation of effective measures to flatten the curve.

"The key measure of our implementation stems from a combination of public health and social measures," said Dr Sakchai during the panel.

Several public health measures are implemented, he clarified, including setting up active surveillance units, conducting disease screening and tracing in local communities, hospitals, and the venues for both local and state quarantine.

The Thai government has ensured people's accessibility to health facilities, aid Dr Sakchai. Medical equipment and supplies are provided to healthcare workers, many of whom are well-trained in primary care.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the Thai government launched the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration as a platform for fostering collaboration among authorities, health experts and civil society organizations, while having a daily press conference to update the situation for public audiences.

Physical distancing and personal hygiene are promoted through the government's implementation of emergency decree, public space lockdown and the introduction of campaigns encouraging people to wear masks and wash their hands.

The government also provided subsidies to vulnerable populations, including unemployed and informal workers who lost income during the city lockdown.

"The UHC is one of the fundamental keys to our success. It [allows us to] provide timely response to COVID-19 and other related essential health services without discrimination.

The UHC helps people in Thailand access health services when needed. People can access free-of-charge coronavirus screening, testing, treatment, and quarantine," said Dr Sakchai.

"All expenses of essential health services and interventions related to COVID-19 are fully covered by Thai UHC — to protect everyone on the Thai soil from financial hardships, and to leave no one behind."

He said that the UHC allowed the Thai government to mobilize health finance for COVID-19 emergency response.

Some other programs, such as the local health security fund is an essential mechanism that increase the capacity of local communities, their leaders, and health village volunteers in performing a wide range of disease prevention and health promotion activities during the outbreak.

Dr Sakchai added that the NHSO and Public Health Ministry had collaborated with private and public laboratory centers across Thailand to conduct COVID-19 testing.

"This pandemic creates 'New Normal' and prompts us to involve new technology and social innovation in improving the UHC," he said.

"The necessity of social distancing during the pandemic has shown the potential of virtual care, such as telemedicine and online consultation."

Learning from the pandemic, the NHSO plans to increase the telemedicine services and promote partnerships with multi-stakeholders in service delivery.

"Thailand has learned important lessons from fighting the pandemic. First, the COVID-19 fosters the importance of the UHC. The strong and resilient national health systems and the UHC are the foundation for effective emergency responses to the public health crisis," he concluded.

"The UHC is also key to enhancing global health security and in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. We can learn from each other so we can do better. Together, with commitment and determination, UHC can become a reality for all."