48 remote districts will finally get a hospital

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said the move was aimed at developing the healthcare infrastructure for residents of remote areas.

"People living in rural areas still have inadequate access to healthcare services. They often must travel far to find a hospital and receive treatment, frequently to another district," he said.

A 2008 ministry survey found 48 districts across the country lacked a hospital.

The ministry will build a 30bed community hospital in each district between next year and 2013. Under the plan, 12 will be built and stocked with medical equipment and supplies in each of the four years at a cost of Bt70 million per hospital.

As a pilot project, the Public Health Ministry will spend Bt94 million to set up a 30bed hospital on Chon Buri's Koh Chan aimed at providing healthcare to 40,000 locals who live 48 kilometres from the nearest facility. Construction will be finished next year, Witthaya said.

Moreover, Witthaya said his ministry would collaborate with local administrative organisations to provide scholarships for students studying medicine and agreeing to return home and work after graduating.

The ministry also plans to upgrade 9,700 primarycare units nationwide to healthpromotion hospitals, providing care to elderly patients suffering from diabetes and chronic diseases instead of sending them to larger facilities.

However, Witthaya said Tuesday's Cabinet meeting had approved only Bt1.3 billion to upgrade 2,600 primarycare units this year.