Universal access to comprehensive COVID-19 services for everyone in Thailand

Abstract

Despite Thailand having had universal health coverage (UHC) with comprehensive benefit packages since 2002, services are neither listed nor budget earmarked for COVID-19 responses. Policy decisions were made immediately after the first outbreak in 2020 to fully fund a comprehensive benefit package for COVID-19. The Cabinet approved significant additional budget to respond to the unfolding pandemic. The comprehensive benefit package includes laboratory tests, contact tracing, active case findings, 14-day quarantine measures (including tests, food and lodging), field hospitals, ambulance services for referral, clinical services both at hospitals and in home and community isolation, vaccines and vaccination cost, all without copayment by users. No-fault compensation for adverse events or deaths following vaccination is also provided. Services were purchased from qualified public and private providers using the same rate, terms and conditions. The benefit package applies to everyone living in Thailand including Thai citizens and migrant workers. A standardised and comprehensive COVID-19 benefit package for Thai and non-Thai population without copayment facilitates universal and equitable access to care irrespective of capacity to pay and social status and nationality, all while aiming to supporting pandemic containment. Making essential services available, notably laboratory tests, through the engagement of qualified both public and private sectors boost supply side capacity. These policies and implementations in this paper are useful lessons for other low-income and middle-income countries on how UHC reinforces pandemic containment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Its Determinants among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Southern Thailand

“…The Caribbean region’s average percentage of fully immunized people is 29–68%. Even though Thailand received immunizations after that zone, vaccine coverage in Thailand rapidly increased, reaching 80% (73% fully vaccinated and 7% partially vaccinated) by April 2022 [ 17 ].…”

Mental health problems of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients in hospitel in Thailand: A cross-sectional study

“…Therefore, the Thai government set up the "hospitel", a new type of health care facility. 1 The term "hospitel" is the compound noun from the "hospital" and "hotel". It is a new type of health care facility specialised for COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms.…”

“…Patients in hospitel are monitored regularly and are quarantined for seven days or until they have negative COVID-19 test results. 1 Hence, hospitels also aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. 1 Although patients are regularly monitored for physical complications, mental health problems, especially stress adjustment, may be under-recognised.…”

“…1 Hence, hospitels also aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. 1 Although patients are regularly monitored for physical complications, mental health problems, especially stress adjustment, may be under-recognised. The meta-analysis study by Liu et al, 2021 found that anxiety symptoms and depression rates in COVID-19 patients were 32% and 27.6%, respectively.…”

Promote COVID-19 Vaccination for Older Adults in China

“…Finally, an additional vaccination accident insurance besides basic insurance for AEFIs may be a policy option for addressing older adults’ concerns on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. There are two forms of compensation for serious adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccine internationally: one is for commercial insurance companies to act as insurers, such as the no-fault compensation program for COVID-19 vaccines in 92 low and middle-income countries, and the other is for the government to pay compensation as insurers, like severe side effect insurance of COVID-19 vaccine in Thailand ( 16 - 17 ). In China, commercial insurance companies have designed additional insurance for AEFIs, but the public needs to pay premiums themselves, and some of them exclude older adults.…”