Thailand Ministry of Health reports 14,900 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 26 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 9,810 recovered patients.
The government is being urged to continue covering the treatment for COVID-19. This comes after the Ministry of Public Health’s decision to delist it under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP). Previously, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that COVID will not be covered by the scheme. The only exception will be for those in critical condition.
Due to the rise in daily cases, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha urged the ministry to delay the implementation. March 1 was the set date for the scheme to take effect however, he is urging the government to delay it to April. Pheu Thai Party also urged the government to reconsider the move. They said it could complicate efforts to contain the outbreak.
The announcement will apply on March 1. For those with critical conditions, secondary COVID infections will be the only ones covered.
The number of hospitals the health insurance is applicable to will decrease. Patients who tested positive for COVID must seek a hospital where the UCEP is accepted.
National Health Security Office (NHSO) secretary-general Jadej Thammatacharee said that the power to change the scheme is with the Department of Health Service Support. He said free and/or subsidized treatment for Covid-19 will remain available to the public. Even if the disease has been removed from the list of conditions covered by the UCEP.
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