Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa stated that Thailand’s leading role in developing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme has been recognized and hailed by the international community. 

Mr. Maris on 24 September 2024 chaired the Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative, demonstrating Thailand’s leading role in public health on the international stage. The meeting was part of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) on 22-28 September 2024 in New York.

He said that a representative of the World Health Organization thanked Thailand for its strong support for the UHC scheme, while the Japanese Public Health Minister would like to learn more about the implementation of the scheme from Thailand. In this regard, Thailand stands ready to share its knowledge and experience with other countries.

Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage program has been implemented since 2002, aimed at providing all Thai citizens with essential preventive and curative health services at all life stages. More than 99 percent of Thais now have access to comprehensive healthcare services under this scheme.

Thailand has also expanded the UHC program for “treatment anywhere with one ID card.” In this expanded program, people who are eligible for the UHC scheme may receive medical treatment outside the hospitals they are assigned to, but still within the same province. They simply show a single identification card to have access to the free medical services.