Today (June 9, 2025), it was reported that the National Health Security Board (NHSB), in its 6th meeting of the year held on June 4, chaired by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, approved a draft announcement regarding the recognition of “Disability Service Centers” as “Other Public Health Facilities” under the National Health Security Act.

The draft outlines the criteria for designating such centers under Section 3 of the National Health Security Act B.E. 2545 (2002), aligning with the board’s earlier resolution from February 3, 2020, that established principles for defining “other health facilities.”

Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of NHSO, explained that Section 3 of the Act allows the board to designate additional public health service providers. The 2020 resolution specified that such entities must:

  1. Be private sector organizations not governed by the Healthcare Facility Act but providing health services under Section 3;
  2. Have at least one year of operational experience in healthcare and receive certification from relevant government or approved private agencies;
  3. Employ qualified staff with certified competencies from state-recognized or NHSO-approved entities.

Although Disability Service Centers were approved as public health facilities in October 2019, this predated the formal criteria established in 2020, creating inconsistencies. This draft aims to bring them in line with the updated standards.

Dr. Jadej also noted that other facilities already recognized under Section 3 include licensed pharmacies, HIV and STI civil society groups, provincial health offices, quit-smoking hotlines, biophilic health centers, and pregnancy counseling services.

The key requirements in the new draft for Disability Service Centers are:

  1. They must be private entities offering health services per Section 3 and not subject to the Healthcare Facility Act.
  2. They must have at least one year of proven healthcare operation, certified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities or other authorized agencies.
  3. Their staff must be trained or certified to deliver services aligned with government or NHSO standards.