Shortage of Doctors in Thailand’s Public Health System: Challenges and Solutions

6 June 2023- Dr. Taweesin Wissanuyothin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, together with Dr. Pimpetch Sukhumalphaiboon Director of the Joint Project Management Office to produce more doctors for rural people press conference on the shortage of doctors in the public health system After the news about many doctors resigning, the problem of manpower shortage in the public health system arises both in the medical profession. and other professions such as nurses, radiologists, etc. In the system of the Ministry of Public Health 24,649 people, representing 48% of all doctors in the country Having to take care of about 75-80% of the population, the ratio of doctors to the population is 1: 2,000, which is considered a relatively heavy workload.

Dr. Taweesin said that The production capacity of public and private doctors is 3,300 people per year, 1/3 of which is produced by the Ministry of Public Health. As for the allocation, there will be a consortium allocation committee and there are many allocation agencies. According to the study of the manpower reform plan and the health service mission of the Ministry of Public Health between 2018 and 2027, it was found that doctors were needed to enter the year system. Each 2,055 people, but about 1,800 – 1,900 people have been allocated per year, by 2023, there are 2,759 graduates, allocated 1,960 people, the rest allocated to the Ministry of Defense. 6 faculties of medicine in the region and various government agencies Corresponds to the number of skill-enhancing doctors or intern doctors that the Medical Council requires to practice skills in 117 hospitals, which in 2022 has the potential to receive 3,128 people, but has been allocated 2,150 people, representing 68.7%.

for heavy workload From the survey during 15-30 November 2022, there were 65 hospitals that operated more than 40 hours/week, divided into 9 hospitals with more than 64 hours/week, 4 hospitals with more than 59 hours/week, 11 hospitals with more than 46 hours. /week 18 places and more than 40 hours /week 23 places have a plan to fix periodically 3, 6, 9, 12 months, able to reduce working hours 20 places

Regarding the resignation of physicians over the past 10 years (2013-2022), it was found that there were 19,355 physicians in total. 226 physicians resigned in the first year, representing 1.2%, an average of 23 people per year, which is a relatively small number due to There is a requirement that doctors have to go through skill enhancement before going to study, 1,875 physicians resign from their 2nd year scholarships, representing 9.69%, an average of 188 people per year. Out of 858 people, representing 4.4%, an average of 86 people per year, and physicians resigning after spending the capital, 1,578 people, representing 8.1%, an average of 158 people per year, including 455 physicians resigning per year, including 150-200 retired physicians per year. Therefore, there are 655 doctors out of the system each year. Up to 80-90% of doctors from the Joint Production of Doctors for the Rural People Program (CPIRD) remain in the system due to the selection of medical students from local people.

Dr. Taweesin said that For the care of personnel under all professions, focusing on 4 issues, which have been carried out all along, namely 1. Increasing remuneration There is a discussion with the Comptroller General’s Department to adjust various remunerations. In accordance with the workload and economy. 2. Welfare, including accommodation, environment, safety, various facilities. 3. Progress in work, discussed with the Civil Service Commission on the manpower framework. Higher rank assignments and 4. Workload matters Still need to produce doctors and ask for more allocations to fill in the system by the new manpower framework announced for the year 2022-2026 In the year 2026, the rate of 35,000 doctors is set, including discussions with the Civil Service Commission on new manpower management. and diverse employment

Recently, Dr. Naphasorn Weerayutwilai or Puimek, singer, actress, orthopedic nurse Ratchaburi Hospital Has come out to post a message resigning from government service Because he can’t bear the heavy workload because the hospital has no tendency to hire more people, decreasing every year