The Ministry of Public Health is taking steps to reshape Thailand’s public health system for the better health of all Thais and to create more medical value from the country’s strength in medical care.

Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin gave a keynote address on the topic “Thailand’s Future Public Health System” at an academic conference of the Mahitala Dhibesra Institute, held at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld Hotel in Bangkok on 20 October 2024.

In reshaping the public health system, Minister Somsak said that the following seven policies would be emphasized in order to 

1) upgrade the Universal Health Coverage program through the use of technology and the development of primary health care services; 

2) provide people with greater access to mental health services and drug rehabilitation; 

3) manage health behavior change to reduce the number of patients suffering from preventable diseases;

4) strengthen health networks in the people’s sector and promote people’s health; 

5) arrange health services for vulnerable groups and people living in special areas; 

6) enhance the potential for health economy in moving Thailand toward becoming a medical hub; and 

7) manage public health resources and support investment in public health development.

Minister Somsak explained that these policies would improve Thailand’s future public health, as they aim to provide people with better health services and stabilize the country’s public health system.