Subscribers to the National Health Security Office would soon be able to use their Thai national ID card as the "gold card" to get universal health scheme services at hospitals, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.
Commenting on the government's budget allocation to provide free medical care to 47 million Thais, Jurin said next year the ministry would ask for a Bt124-per-head increase from last year's Bt2,402 per head per year subsidy.
He said the scheme would also cover diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney transplants. However, kidney patients would still have to pay half of the Bt1,000 charge for every use of a dialysis machine.
Jurin said those living with HIV/AIDs would also get free treatment, while two expensive drugs for mental illnesses would also become available next year.
