Hospitals in Thailand explained

Hospitals in Thailand are operated by both the public and private sector, to provide medical services for prevention, cure and rehabilitation of patients with medical and health-related conditions. The majority are operated by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). Private hospitals are regulated by the Medical Registration Division under the MOPH's Department of Health Service Support following the Sanatorium Act, B.E. 2541. Other government units and public organisations also operate hospitals, including the military, universities, local governments and the Red Cross. The full listing of hospitals can be accessed at List of hospitals in Thailand.

Public hospitals

Most public (i.e., state-owned) hospitals fall under the authority of the Ministry of Public Health. The majority of these are provincial hospitals under the aegis of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the MOPH. Others are operated by the Department of Medical Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Health, and Department of Disease Control. Certain non-MOPH state agencies also operate hospitals.

Office of the Permanent Secretary

As of March 2022, there are a total of 901 hospitals under the Office of the Permanent Secretary are classified as follows:[1] [2]

Regional hospitals

Regional hospitals are found in provincial centres, have a capacity of at least 500 beds and have a comprehensive set of specialists on staff. These hospitals are capable of tertiary care and are under the category A (advanced) service level in the MOPH's service plan.[3] As of 2018, there are a total of 34 regional hospitals in Thailand.

General hospitals

General hospitals are located in province capitals or major districts and have a capacity of 200 to 500 beds. These hospitals are capable of secondary care and are under the category S and M1 service level. As of 2022, there are total of 92 general hospitals in Thailand.

Community hospitals

Community hospitals are located in the district level and are usually limited to providing primary care treatment and are under the category M2, F1, F2 and F3 service level. These will refer patients in need of more advanced or specialised care to general or regional hospitals. As of 2022, there are a total of 775 community hospitals in Thailand. Some community hospitals are capable of secondary care. They are further classified by size listed below:

Crown Prince Hospitals (Somdet Phra Yuppharat Hospitals)

Crown Prince hospitals are community hospitals (except Sa Kaeo, Sawang Daen Din and Det Udom which are general hospitals) with a capacity of 30 to 200 beds, all with capabilities of primary care and some providing secondary care. These hospitals are operated by the Crown Prince Hospital Foundation. Construction of 20 Crown Prince hospitals was initiated in 1977, during the prime ministership of Thanin Kraivichien, to provide medical services at distant locations throughout the country and as a present for King Vajiralongkorn's (then Crown Prince) royal marriage on 3 January 1977. There are 21 Crown Prince hospitals in Thailand.

Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals

Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals are hospitals that are operated by either the MOPH or Department of Local Administration and were initially called "health stations" . These hospitals only have primary care capabilities and often serve villages within districts. Almost all of these hospitals do not accept inpatients and usually have no doctor on duty for the entire time. Such hospitals therefore will have medical staff entering irregularly from the community hospital within that district. In 2009, Abhisit Vejjajiva's cabinet approved a policy to improve the quality of healthcare services provided at health stations throughout Thailand and funding was allocated into the Thai Khem Khaeng programme to upgrade existing health stations to sub-district health promoting hospitals and improve quality of care.

Public Organisation

The idea of creating public organisations to improve the efficiency of the relatively backward governmental department management system emerged after the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997.[4] After the enactment of the 8th National Social and Economic Development Plan devised by prime minister Chavalit Yongchayudh's cabinet, the MOPH reached out to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help revolutionize the operations of hospitals in the country and it was suggested that hospitals should be converted into public organisations to allow greater freedom of management as opposed to the traditional top-down approach.[5] [6] Ban Phaeo General Hospital in Samut Sakhon province is the first and only hospital in Thailand to have been converted into a public organisation.[7]

Other departments

The Department of Medical Services (DMS) operates several public central hospitals in Bangkok, including Rajavithi Hospital and Lerdsin Hospital.[8] It is also responsible for all specialised hospitals, both inside and outside Bangkok, such as the National Cancer Institute, the Neurological Institute of Thailand, the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. This is with some exceptions of public specialised hospitals in the field of psychiatry where all hospitals are under the responsibility of the Department of Mental Health (DMH), such as the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry and Srithanya Hospital. Some hospitals are also managed by the Department of Disease Control (DDC), the main hospital being the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute.[9]

Non-MOPH agencies

Other organisations also operate public hospitals in Thailand and citizens of Thailand can use their medical services under the Universal Coverage Scheme at no additional cost. These organisations include:

University-affiliated hospitals

This type of hospital is affiliated with faculties of medicine at universities and colleges in Thailand. Most of these hospitals are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and provide medical services at the "super tertiary care" level. These hospitals are equipped with the best resources in Thailand considering they are medical schools for teaching and research. However, in the table below, some hospitals are under the authority of the affiliated university, but are not used for medical student training, but rather only for research purposes or to provide specialised treatment; and some although used for teaching, are not operated by the affiliated university.

Main university-affiliated hospitals for medical training in Thailand!Hospital name!Affiliated university!Affiliated institution (if present)!Province
Siriraj HospitalFaculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol UniversityBangkok
Ramathibodi HospitalFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityHRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical ScienceBangkok
Chakri Naruebodindra Medical InstituteFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversitySamut Prakan
King Chulalongkorn Memorial HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn UniversityThai Red Cross SocietyBangkok
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityChiang Mai
Phramongkutklao HospitalPhramongkutklao College of MedicineArmy Medical Department, The Royal Thai ArmyBangkok
Vajira HospitalFaculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj UniversityBangkok
Taksin HospitalFaculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj UniversityMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Rajavithi HospitalCollege of Medicine, Rangsit UniversityDepartment of Medical Services, MOPHBangkok
Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child HealthCollege of Medicine, Rangsit UniversityDepartment of Medical Services, MOPHBangkok
Lerdsin HospitalCollege of Medicine, Rangsit UniversityDepartment of Medical Services, MOPHBangkok
Nopparat Rajathanee HospitalCollege of Medicine, Rangsit UniversityDepartment of Medical Services, MOPHBangkok
Srinagarind HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityKhon Kaen
Galyanivadhanakarun HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Princess of Naradhiwas UniversityNarathiwat
Thammasat University HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityChulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat UniversityOffice of the Rector of Thammasat UniversityPathum Thani
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical CenterFaculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot UniversityNakhon Nayok
Panyananthaphikkhu Chonprathan Medical CenterFaculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot UniversityNonthaburi
Naresuan University HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityPhitsanulok
Songklanagarind HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversitySongkhla
Suranaree University of Technology HospitalInstitute of Medicine, Suranaree University of TechnologyNakhon Ratchasima
Suddhavej HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham UniversityMaha Sarakham
Ubon Ratchathani University HospitalCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani UniversityUbon Ratchathani
Burapha University HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Burapha UniversityChonburi
Walailak University HospitalSchool of Medicine, Walailak UniversityNakhon Si Thammarat
University of Phayao Medical Center and HospitalSchool of Medicine, University of PhayaoPhayao
Phra Nang Klao HospitalSchool of Medicine, Siam UniversityNonthaburi
Mae Fah Luang University Medical Center HospitalSchool of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversityChiang Rai
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General HospitalSchool of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversityMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Charoenkrung Pracharak HospitalSchool of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversityMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Chulabhorn Hospital (Bangkok)HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical ScienceBangkok
Police General HospitalHRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical ScienceOffice of the Surgeon General, Royal Thai PoliceBangkok
Sirindhorn HospitalFaculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology LadkrabangMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Lat Krabang HospitalFaculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology LadkrabangMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Ratchaphiphat HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Bangkokthonburi UniversityMedical Services Department, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationBangkok
Kamphaeng Phet HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Western UniversityKamphaeng Phet
Non-teaching University-affiliated Hospitals in Thailand!Hospital Name!Affiliated University!Province
Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun HospitalFaculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol UniversityBangkok
Golden Jubilee Medical CenterFaculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol UniversityNakhon Pathom
Hospital for Tropical DiseasesFaculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol UniversityBangkok
Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the NortheastFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityKhon Kaen

CPIRD Medical Education Centers

In 1994, the cabinet approved of a cooperation between the MOPH and Thai universities to organise a program known as the 'Collaborative Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctors (CPIRD)' in order to increase the number of medical personnel in rural areas of Thailand. To reach these goals, the cabinet set up the CPIRD Office in 1997 to oversee the project's activities. In terms of education, the preclinic level of study (years 1–3) will take place at the student's university or college. At the clinical level of study (years 4–6), study will take place at hospitals all around the country under the guidance of the MOPH. 'Medical Education Centers' have been established for medical students in the CPIRD program at these hospitals. There are currently 45 CPIRD Medical Education Centers in Thailand.[10]

Hospitals with CPIRD Medical Education Centers in Thailand!Hospital name!Affiliated university!Affiliated institution (if present)!Province
Khon Kaen HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityKhon Kaen
Sunpasitthiprasong HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani UniversityUbon Ratchathani
Maha Sarakham HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityMaha Sarakham
Udon Thani HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityUdon Thani
Prapokklao HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn UniversityChanthaburi
Chonburi HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn UniversityChonburi
Bhumibol Adulyadej HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn UniversityDirectorate of Medical Services, The Royal Thai Air ForceBangkok
Chiangrai Prachanukroh HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityChiang Rai
Lampang HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityLampang
Saraburi HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversitySaraburi
Chumphon Khet Udomsak HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityChumphon
Surat Thani HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversitySurat Thani
Buddhasothorn HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityChachoengsao
Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Princess of Naradhiwas UniversityNarathiwat
Songkhla HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Princess of Naradhiwas UniversitySongkhla
Phichit HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityPhichit
Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityPhitsanulok
Phrae HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityPhrae
Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityTak
Uttaradit HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Naresuan UniversityUttaradit
Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Burapha UniversityPrachinburi
Rayong HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Burapha UniversityRayong
Queen Sirikit Naval HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Burapha UniversityNaval Medical Department, The Royal Thai NavyChonburi
Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Burapha UniversityThai Red Cross SocietyChonburi
Nakornping HospitalSchool of Medicine, University of PhayaoChiang Mai
Phayao HospitalSchool of Medicine, University of PhayaoPhayao
Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima HospitalMOPH-Mahidol CPIRD ProgramNakhon Ratchasima
Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat HospitalMOPH-Mahidol CPIRD ProgramNakhon Si Thammarat
Sawanpracharak HospitalMOPH-Mahidol CPIRD ProgramNakhon Sawan
Ratchaburi HospitalMOPH-Mahidol CPIRD ProgramRatchaburi
Kalasin HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham UniversityKalasin
Roi Et HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham UniversityRoi Et
Srisangworn Sukhothai HospitalSchool of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversitySukhothai
Sukhothai HospitalSchool of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang UniversitySukhothai
Vachira Phuket HospitalSchool of Medicine, Walailak UniversityPhuket
Trang HospitalSchool of Medicine, Walailak UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityTrang
Hatyai HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversitySongkhla
Yala HospitalFaculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityYala
Surin HospitalInstitute of Medicine, Suranaree University of TechnologySurin
Buriram HospitalInstitute of Medicine, Suranaree University of TechnologyBuriram
Chaiyaphum HospitalInstitute of Medicine, Suranaree University of TechnologyChaiyaphum
Sisaket HospitalCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani UniversitySisaket

Private hospitals

Some hospitals in Thailand are operated by the private sector by either a private limited company or a public limited company. Specialised private hospitals in the fields of ophthalmology and dentistry are common.

The term "general hospital", when referring to private hospitals, refer to hospitals which provide non-specialised care. Private hospitals with fewer than 30 beds are officially termed "health centres". Both accept patient admissions.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ข้อมูลพืนฐานโรงพยาบาลในังกัดสำนักงานปลัดกระทรวงสาธารณสุข ณ สงหาคม 2561.
  2. Web site: ข้อมูลทั่วไปเกี่ยวกับสถานบริการ. Bureau of Policy and Strategy website. Bureau of Policy and Strategy, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health. 10 November 2011. th. https://web.archive.org/web/20090205111209/http://bps.ops.moph.go.th/H.doc. 5 February 2009. dead.
  3. Web site: เล่มแผนพัฒนาระบบบริการสุขภาพ (Service Plan) พ.ศ. 2561-2565.
  4. Web site: แผนแม่บทการปฏิรูประบบราชการ (พ.ศ. 2540 - พ.ศ. 2544) .
  5. Web site: ประวัติโรงพยาบาลบ้านแพ้ว .
  6. Web site: บ้านแพ้วโมเดล .
  7. Web site: โรงพยาบาลต้นแบบ...โรงพยาบาลบ้านแพ้ว!? .
  8. Web site: กรมการแพทย์ กระทรวงสาธารณสุข. 2018-02-13. 2010-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20100325011655/http://www.dms.moph.go.th/dmsweb/index.php. dead.
  9. Web site: กรมสุขภาพจิค กระทรวงสาธารณสุข.
  10. Web site: CPIRD.