Between 2011 and 2015, Thailand under-five mortality rate decreased by 12 per cent. This progress has been realised in part through the Universal Health Coverage Scheme (UCS), which was introduced by the Royal Thai Government in 2001 to close gaps in coverage and ensure that all Thais have access to effective health care. The UCS is managed by the National Health Security Office and implemented by the Ministry of Public Health through a network of 953 hospitals and 9,765 health centres, reaching all sub-districts in the country.

The UCS targets Thai citizens who are not covered by the contributory Social Security Scheme (SSS), for the private formal sector and the Civil Service Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS), for the public sector. Package entitlements are comprehensive and include inpatient and outpatient care, rehabilitation and high cost medical treatment such as dental, diagnostics, medicines and medical supplies. In order to access these services citizens are required to register with local health authorities to receive a ‘card for care’ which provides free access to these services within local health jurisdiction; however, treatment further from home can be accessed in accident and emergency situations free of charge. Thailand’s three existing health care schemes together provide coverage to 99.5 per cent of Thai citizens, with the CSMBS and SSS covering 7 per cent and 12 per cent of the population respectively, and the UCS reaching 80.5 per cent as of 2011. Before the introduction of UCS in 2001, more than 25 percent of the Thai population was not covered for their health care expenses. The Royal Thai Government also administers programmes for registered migrants, granting access to public hospitals through a contributory insurance scheme.

Thailand’s UCS is the product of a determined State effort to move toward broad coverage for the informal sector since the 1990s, and is the result of the merger of formerly fragmented schemes toward a more integrated approach. While the UCS has achieved great success, the scheme has confronted challenges in realising total quality assurance across geographical areas and equality between the three State health care schemes. Nonetheless, investments in social services, such as the UCS, form an essential part of Thailand’s social protection floor, and ensure that all in need have access to health care.

Further Reading:

• Adam Wagstaff, Wanwiphang Manachotpong (2012). The Health Effects of Universal Health Care: Evidence from Thailand. World Bank, Washington DC.