Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong promised not to enforce a copayment system under the universal healthcare scheme during talks with the Rural Doctors Society (RDS) and health allies yesterday.
The talks were held at the Rama Garden Hotel last night.
Prime minister's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva and Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang were at the meeting. They were acting as intermediaries between the RDS network which included the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) union and the Public Health Ministry-represented by Dr Pradit and public health permanent secretary Narong Sahametapat.
The RDS put forward 14 key demands at the talks.
They included the resignation of Dr Pradit, the revocation of the pay-forperformance, or P4P scheme, cancellation of the proposed co-payment scheme and a review of the alleged irregularity cases against former GPO chief Witit Artavatkun.
Dr Pradit agreed that co-payment by patients would not be applied to the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme,RDS president Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat said.
The ministry also agreed to set up a joint panel with the GPO union to review the irregularity cases against Dr Witit,including the purchase of paracetamol raw materials and the delay in the construction of a vaccine factory.
Other demands will be addressed in further talks to be held at Government House tomorrow.
The RDS and its allies said that they would revive their plan to demonstrate outside the premier's residence in Lat Phrao on June 20, if the talks fail.
RDS anger towards Mr Pradit was sparked by the ministry's P4P scheme,launched on April 1 to partially replace hardship allowances provided to rural doctors.
The GPO union's fury stems from the cabinet's sacking of the former GPO chief following an investigation into alleged irregularities ordered by Dr Pradit. The union last night also called for a guarantee that the GPO would not be privatised.
Meanwhile,200 members of the Thailand Regional and General Hospital Society gathered yesterday afternoon at Government House to show their support for the P4P scheme.
The society's president Sutas Sriwilai submitted a letter to the premier.
"We've come forward to let society know that the performance scheme has many supporters," Dr Sutas said.
Source: Bangkok Post June 5, 2013
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