Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin emphasized that hospitals in the social security system cooperate in caring for insured persons at risk of Covid-19 to their fullest abilities.
Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported that the number of Covid-19 cases has increased, especially in the red-area provinces. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and the Ministry of Labour under its supervision give importance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the Songkran Festival holidays and to prepare in all respects if the outbreak becomes more severe. The Labour Minister has charged social security hospitals to cooperate in taking care of Covid-19 risks. The Ministry of Labour has announced measures to help insured persons with Covid-19 cases, to enable private hospitals in the social security program to increase the capacity to support Covid-19 patients, both in screening for at-risk patients and the number of beds to support insured persons with Covid-19. The efforts to support the government’s policy in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and reduce the people’s suffering. Currently, there are 81 private hospitals as social security hospitals. The Private Hospital Association is also ready to fully cooperate with the Ministry of Labour.
The Labour Minister further reported that information as of April 9, 2021, found 559 new Covid-19 patients, mostly from the five red-area provinces, which include Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, and Pathum Thani, resulting in insurers falling under the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control’s risk group criteria, having the opportunity to be screened for Covid-19, and the possibility of increased confirmed illnesses. The Ministry of Labour has surveyed the availability of social security hospitals to prepare to care and ensure enough beds by adding more hospital beds and setting up a private field hospital. Based on the survey of 81 private social security hospitals, most are ready to provide services to their insured persons. The Ministry of Labour is ready to pay medical services to medical facilities according to the announcement of the Medical Committee, with the approval of the Social Security Committee, to allow insured persons to not have to pay for medical services, including examination fees and the cost of treatment for Covid-19, ensuring timely assistance to insurers who are in need. The Ministry of Labour is ready to closely monitor the situation and acknowledge the problems arising from all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis to find ways to determine corrective measures in line with the current changing conditions.
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Division of Public Relations
10 April 2021
