Thailand’s Primary Health Care in Global Health Context

Abstract

This study aimed to illustrate the overall picture of the Thailand’s primary healthcare in global health context by comparing to the situation in other Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) countries. A quali­tative research design was employed. All data were collected from the specific reliable public information sources including World Health Organization (WHO), national level enterprises, government agencies, and Thai Journals Online (ThaiJO) database. The selected data were related to primary healthcare of Thailand and WHO SEAR countries, including the following topics: (1) health services, (2) manpower, and (3) budget management. Documentary analysis along with comparative process were performed to analyzed data from all countries. The results of the study revealed that the primary health care of Thailand was resembling to most countries in the SEAR. There were various health services compliance to essential health service package, integration of modern and traditional medicine, continuing care for non-commu­nicable diseases, community health services, and utilization of new technology. However, there were less clients in primary health care level, compared to the secondary and tertiary hospitals in many countries. This was due to the lack of man power and budget management of the primary health care. All SEAR countries encountered with health workers shortage. In the region that was lack of physicians, other health professionals were trained to perform physicians’ tasks. The primary health care as well as the universal health coverage had been financed by the government based on direct expenditure per capita. This led to the reduction of out-of-pocket payment in the region, but it was still higher than the median figure at the global level. The results suggest that the primary health care in Thailand needs to step forwards to re­spond to the transformation of health problems due to the economic and the social change. Making people realize and understand how to take care of their health should be the main focus. Utilization of advanced technology in monitoring and caring of people’s health should also be promoted.