On January 8, Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health and Chairperson of the National Health Security Board (NHSB), presided over a meeting to approve the proposed 2024 budget for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, also known as the “30 Baht Healthcare Scheme.” The NHSB approved a total budget of 272.58 billion baht, marking a 19.51% increase (36.2 billion baht) from the previous year. The proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet for final approval under the National Health Security Act.
The budget includes 204.17 billion baht allocated to a per capita healthcare budget, averaging 4,298.24 baht per person for 47.5 million people. An additional 68.41 billion baht is designated for non-per capita services, such as HIV/AIDS treatment (4.57 billion baht), chronic kidney disease care (16.07 billion baht), and health services for underserved regions and primary care innovations. Additional resources are also allocated for public health partnerships with local administrative organizations and the treatment of dependent individuals in communities.
In line with the government’s policy to enhance healthcare services, the 2024 budget includes funding for essential drugs, vaccines, prosthetics, and specialized treatments. A total of 13.62 billion baht has been earmarked for these items, representing a 33.2% increase from 2023. This includes funding for HIV medication, dialysis fluids, and advanced vaccines such as the 9-valent HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention.
Key Initiatives for 2024:
- Expansion of remote healthcare services for overseas Thai nationals.
- Enhanced preventive care and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including asthma and osteoporosis screening.
- Mental health services, such as suicide prevention hotlines and community-based psychiatric care.
- Innovations like telemedicine and electronic health rooms in schools.
- New benefits totaling 1.28 billion baht, including hotline services for alcohol cessation and unplanned pregnancy support, maternal milk banks, and screening tools for autism and diabetes complications.
The meeting emphasized the importance of aligning the budget with national development strategies and modern healthcare technologies. The NHSB also responded to public feedback by introducing 10 new benefits for 2024, focusing on underserved populations and modernizing preventive care.
Minister’s Statement:
Somsak highlighted the government's commitment to improving public health and continuing the “30 Baht Healthcare Scheme,” aiming to reduce the burden of NCDs, promote proactive healthcare services, and deliver new health benefits for all citizens. The NHSB believes these measures will help improve health outcomes and accessibility across Thailand.