Resource
Thailand: Universal health care coverage trough pluralistic approaches
Summary (English)
The document presents the pluralistic approaches that were experimented in Thailand in order to reach universal health care coverage. The Thai health care system has a long history, from a fee with exemption system which was gradually replaced by out-of-pocket payment before finally becoming a prepayment system. This is an entrepreneurial system, with both public and private providers, that has progressed thanks to long term plans, continuous efforts and strong commitment to policy. Finally it has been successful in providing health care coverage using pluralistic approaches and health is now considered as an entitlement for Thai people. However, the Thai government still has to face challenges in terms of efficiency, quality and equity. Indeed, the country will have to deal with the problem of ageing populations and redress the unequal distribution of medical staff within the country between Bangkok and the provinces, among other issues.
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Note
Technical Paper published at the ILO Asia-Pacific Regional High-Level Meeting on Socially-Inclusive Strategies to Extend Social Security Coverage, held in New Delhi, India, 19-20 May 2008.