Billed as the first of its kind, a government-backed multi-service unit called "Public Service Centre" will be opened at the southern province's Carrefour superstore.

To be managed like a hospital, the centre will operate from 9am to 11pm daily and its key service will be dental care. Treatments range from extractions to root canal treatments.

Cases involving serious complications that need additional medical treatment will be referred to a hospital with the proper facilities.

The dental-care unit is essentially a branch of the Provincial Health Office, which is seeking to make its services more accessible to people by moving such units closer to where they live.

"We thought about several places that provide greater access to the majority of people and the hypermarket site was considered an ideal location," said Nakhon Si Thammarat chief health officer Dr Nopporn Chuenklin. "It's one of the most frequented places in the province."

The health office might consider moving its own dental-care department to merge with the one operating the Public Service Centre, Nopporn said.

The centre's regular dentists and nurses will be on duty during government working hours, while dental staff from other hospitals in the province will cover the other shifts.

Doctors working extra shifts will earn additional income while patients will be able to receive treated during extended hours in the evening.

"Actually, demand for dental care these days is very high. However, due to bureaucratic regulations, the service can only be provided during certain hours at state facilities," said dentist Sumran Pitakuldilog, the head of the new centre.

For people looking for a job, the centre will also have a job recruitment body provided by the province's Office of Labour.

A job-seeker can browse through its vacancies list or apply online for positions.

"Applicants who may not be familiar with computers or typing need not worry. Labour officers are at hand to help them," said Sumran.

Moreover, this multi-functional centre will also act as a branch for the National Health Security Office, the Social Security Office, and the Nakhon Si Thammarat Health Office.

The centre will also register consumer complaints.

Officers from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will share offices at the centre.

The idea for the unique and practical centre came from Nakhon Si Thammarat's CEO governor and his staff.

The project was approved early this year and given a Bt200-million special budget. A plan to open another public service centre next year in the province's Thung Song district has also been approved.

Dr Piya Netrawichien, deputy secretary-general at the National Health Security Office, praised the project as innovative and useful.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation

Nakhon Si Thammarat