Occupational Medicine Clinic: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Healthcare and safety for working-age population is the responsibility of the occupational health and safety agencies. Thailand has operated this matter by the guidelines of the International Labor Orga-nization and the World Health Organization which emphasize on prevention and surveillance on work-related diseases and injuries. Occupational health initiative has been included in the 2th National Economic and Social Development Plan. Since 2015, Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Labor have jointly established the Occupational Disease Center, consisting of occupational medicine clinics located in all regions proactively implementing occupational health which included diagnosis, treatment, prevention, promotion and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses form work; and coordinated compensation paid to employees. Such operation has followed the indicators set by the Bureau of Occupational and Environmen-tal Medicine, in accordance with the 7 objectives of the National Agenda on “safety and healthy labor” of Ministry of Labor. It covers comprehensive care for both formal and informal labors. Occupational medi-cine clinic is a collaboration integrated between multi-disciplinary health care professional staff, other government sectors, private sectors, business establishments, employers and employees. The operation should be integrated with clear policy and un-complicated system. This review article aimed to present knowledge related to history, operation, problems and development of occupational health as well as occupational medicine clinics in Thailand in order to contribute to health and quality of life of working-people.