Thailand’s universal healthcare program needs overhaul before it collapses

14 Sept 02:23 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's 'gold card' universal healthcare program faces a severe financial crisis, with spending exceeding budget and many state hospitals operating at a loss.
Hospitals are implementing cost-cutting measures, such as reducing medicine supplies, switching to cheaper alternatives, and eliminating services like IPD vaccines for children.
The Public Health Ministry acknowledges loopholes and proposes a revamp, including increasing the program's budget, adjusting medical fees, and prioritizing cost-effective health problems.
Proposed reforms also include establishing a primary healthcare fund, introducing good governance, and separating budgets for medical personnel from overhead expenses.
An urgent overhaul within the next few years is deemed critical to prevent the program's complete financial collapse and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.