Universal health coverage in Thailand

This book was a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Regional and Rural Development Planning at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. The thesis on Assessment of health services under the universal coverage scheme (UCS) for rural people in Thailand was aimed at identifying strengths, weaknesses and needs as regards the scheme so as to provide recommendations to make it more beneficial for the rural people. The research was conducted in rural area of Surin province, in Northeastern Thailand. Main findings of this research showed that mistargeting of the UCS beneficiaries brought about benefit leakage; fee at the primary care unit (PCU) level was flexible; and health personnel had usually violated villagers right to choose their registered PCU. Medical supplies and equipment accessible at a PCU were modern enough to provide primary care however their shortage and contamination were problems. Its disease prevention and health promotion budget was misused for other purposes. As for organization, there was close collaboration of medical and paramedical personnel within the studied primary care network.