Health in Thailand - statistics & facts
From the moment Thai citizens are born, they are entitled to the healthcare “golden card,” also known as the country’s universal coverage scheme (UCS). Funded by tax revenue, the UCS is one of the three healthcare schemes covering most of the population in Thailand. With a unique 13-digit identification number, Thai citizens can receive medical treatment in public hospitals for a voluntary fee of 30 Thai baht. With extensive health coverage, Thailand’s life expectancy ranked second among the ASEAN countries after Singapore, with an average of nearly 80 years. Moreover, the GDP contribution from the health and social work sector amounted to more than 471 billion Thai baht in 2023 and may continue to rise in the upcoming years.
Despite the advantages of universal health coverage, many public hospitals bear the costs as the NHSO disbursement does not cover the full medical cost. Furthermore, overcrowding in public hospitals may result in overworked medical personnel. The Thai government has the potential to alleviate these issues by enhancing hospital capacity, establishing additional health centers in underserved areas, retaining healthcare professionals, and optimizing budget allocation.
Healthcare infrastructure in Thailand
The Ministry of Public Health manages Thailand's three healthcare systems: the UCS, the Social Security Scheme (SSS), and the Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme (CSMBS). The UCS, first introduced in 2001 under the National Health Security Office (NHSO), aims to deliver healthcare coverage and benefits to people who do not qualify for the two latter health benefit schemes. For the SSS, one must contribute monthly while employed to be covered by the scheme. Meanwhile, the CSMBS covers medical expenses for current and retired civil servants and their families.What are the circumstances surrounding the medical personnel in Thailand?
The Thai healthcare system is supported by its medical personnel. In 2023, the ratio of doctors to the Thai population was 1.54 per 1,000 population, the lowest ratio in ten years. On the other hand, the number of nurses in the country has been on the rise since 2015. The shortage of medical practitioners was exacerbated by the hefty workloads but low compensation in the Thai public hospitals. Hence, this has led to fewer doctors working in public hospitals and rural areas, as many may opt to join the private sector. Although the Thai government has increased the budget for the Universal Coverage Scheme every year since 2010, it remained stagnant when compared to the share of the national budget. Moreover, due to the long waiting time and a lack of public knowledge about the UCS, many Thai people prefer going to pharmacies instead of clinics when seeking cures for their health issues.Which diseases are prevalent in Thailand?
Even though healthcare has improved, there are still some population health issues. Significant infectious diseases in Thailand include dengue fever, malaria, and tuberculosis. In terms of nutrition-related health issues, diabetes is prevalent in the country due to high sugar consumption. Over the years, the number of diabetic patients has gradually risen. Cancer is also one of the most common diseases in the country. In 2022, there were around 3,200 new cancer patients in Thailand, with females making up the majority. However, Thailand has improved the health of children under five years through vaccination policies and medical checkups.Despite the advantages of universal health coverage, many public hospitals bear the costs as the NHSO disbursement does not cover the full medical cost. Furthermore, overcrowding in public hospitals may result in overworked medical personnel. The Thai government has the potential to alleviate these issues by enhancing hospital capacity, establishing additional health centers in underserved areas, retaining healthcare professionals, and optimizing budget allocation.
