Thailand Approves Three Resolutions to Improve National Health System

Thailand: The National Health Commission (NCPO) of Thailand recently approved three resolutions of the 15th National Health Assembly, with a focus on improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The first resolution aims to eradicate poverty according to the bio-circular-green economy (BCG) economic concept, with a focus on raising household economies. The second resolution drives a platform to connect and integrate people’s exercise and sports statistics under the concept of a BCG model. The third resolution guarantees income for a good quality of life during old age.

Approves Policy Proposals for Development of Oral Health System

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, also revealed that the NCPO meeting approved policy proposals for the development of the oral health system in Thailand.

The proposals include the development of a primary oral health service system, an oral health information system, and an environment conducive to oral health. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) will be supported to increase benefits and improve the efficiency and quality of oral disease promotion and prevention services in government agencies.

Private dental clinics will also be supported to participate in providing services and adjusting the dental service system.

Supports Tele-Dentistry and Sugar Reduction Efforts

The NCPO also approved the development of tele-dentistry to improve access to oral health care, as well as the linking of oral health data with the personal electronic health record system.

The Excise Department’s Phase 3 collection according to the PD Excise Tax Act 2017 encourages Thai citizens to reduce their sugar consumption from beverages, positively impacting oral and overall health.

WHO Report on Thailand’s Oral Health

According to the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) report on the oral health status in Thailand, the prevalence of oral diseases in the country is 44.7%.

The prevalence of untreated caries in children between 1-9 years is 27.0% and the prevalence of untreated caries in permanent teeth in people 5 years and above is 19.1%. Severe periodontal disease in people 15 years and above is estimated to affect 6.6% of the population. The incidence rate of lip and oral cavity cancer in 2020 was 4.0 per 100,000 population.

The total expenditure on dental healthcare in Thailand was US$192 million in 2019, with a per capita expenditure of $2.8. The estimated total productivity losses due to five oral diseases was US$1,812 million.

Budget Plan for Fiscal Year 2024

According to the 2022 report, the largest government health financing scheme in Thailand covers 80% of the population, providing routine and preventive oral health care, essential curative oral health care, and advanced curative oral health care. However, the report notes that rehabilitation oral health care is not included.

In preparation for the fiscal year 2024, the NCPO has approved a budget plan of 406.91 million baht (US$12.13m) to support the main plan No. 4, 2023-2570, as well.