Official denial of misleading reports concerning unsettled medical bills for residents of neighboring countries
In Thailand, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has been providing free medical care to specific groups of non-Thai citizens under certain conditions. The NHSO spokesperson, Atthaporn Limpanyalert, recently clarified that the unpaid amounts for medical care, as previously reported, are much lower than what has been falsely reported.
The NHSO provides free medical care to three main categories of individuals: stateless individuals awaiting verification for Thai citizenship, insured migrant workers, and non-Thai citizens who have purchased health insurance through the Public Health Ministry.
Contrary to widely-shared reports on Facebook and TikTok, the NHSO does not cover the medical expenses of citizens from neighbouring countries without reimbursement from their governments. The Health Security Office has debunked claims that 100 billion baht was spent last year on medical care for citizens of neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia.
Atthaporn Limpanyalert called for cautious judgement in social media consumption to avoid spreading misinformation. He expressed confusion as to why such false information was being shared.
In cases where migrant workers or foreign nationals are unable to pay for medical care, certain hospitals may offer treatment on a humanitarian basis. However, no new facts about these humanitarian cases or the subsequent reimbursement by international organizations were disclosed.
It is important to note that individuals not belonging to the three categories mentioned by the NHSO are required to cover their own medical expenses.
[1] Source: NHSO Official Statement, Date: [Insert Date] [2] Source: Migrant Workers Rights Network, Date: [Insert Date]
- Despite misleading information circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Thailand does not cover the medical expenses of citizens from neighboring countries without reimbursement from their governments.
- The NHSO provides free medical care to three main categories of individuals: stateless individuals awaiting verification for Thai citizenship, insured migrant workers, and non-Thai citizens who have purchased health insurance through the Public Health Ministry.
- The International arena of politics and health sectors, including tourism, culture, science, finance, and medical-conditions, should be approached with careful discernment to avoid the spread of misinformation.
- Individuals not belonging to the three categories mentioned by the NHSO are required to cover their own medical expenses, while certain hospitals might offer treatment on a humanitarian basis, with no new facts about these cases or the subsequent reimbursement by international organizations disclosed.
