The Public Health Ministry plans to seek cabinet approval for a new scheme that will cover the costs for Covid-19 sufferers who require emergency treatment for moderate to severe symptoms.
All hospitals must pitch in
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Editorial Bangkok Post editorial column
published : 29 Apr 2021 at 04:00
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Even though the Public Health Ministry has threatened lawsuits against hospitals and medical establishments refusing to admit Covid-19 patients, it seems the agency has no fangs, as public complaints against such establishments are still circulating.
There are reports that some private hospitals place such tough conditions, like demanding exorbitant deposits at a 200,000-baht minimum, for patient admission. The demanded sum could be as high as 500,000 baht if a patient is elderly and in need of an ICU room. There are cases of hospitals slamming the door shut on infected people without explanation. Cases of infected people being abandoned have flooded social media.
27 Looking for luck: People look at lottery tickets at Pathumwan intersection on Wednesday. The Government Lottery Office announced the Dec 30 draw will go ahead as usual despite the resurgence of Covid-19 in many provinces, including Bangkok. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
The Department of Health Service Support on Wednesday instructed private hospitals nationwide to provide free Covid-19 tests for at-risk groups of people.
Director-general of the department Thares Krassanairawiwong said a new wave of Covid-19 infections in Samut Sakhon last week sparked grave concern among local residents as well as those who had visited at-risk areas.
The department asked all private hospitals nationwide to strictly comply with the Public Health Ministry s announcement on medical costs incurred by Covid-19 patients, he said.