Addressing the Shortage of Doctors in Thailand’s Public Health System: Insights and Solutions

Dr. Taweesin Wissanuyothin, M.D. 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 aboutdoctor resignedmany said that the problem of manpower shortage in the public health system occurred both in the medical profession and other professions such as nurses, radiologists etc. in the part of the doctor In the system of the Ministry of Public Health 24,649 people, representing 48% of all doctors in the country

1 doctor takes care of 2,000 people.

have to take care of about 75-80% of the population, representing The doctor-to-population ratio of 1: 2,000 is a rather heavy workload. 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 allocation committee (Consortium) and several 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 2,055 doctors were needed per year, but about 1,800 – 1,900 were allocated per year.

By 2023, there were 2,759 graduates, 1,960 of whom were allocated. The remainder is 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%.

Doctors have a very heavy workload.

From the survey during 15-30 November 2022, there were 65 hospitals that operated more than 40 hours/week, divided into More than 64 hours/week 9 locations More than 59 hours/week 4 places More than 52 hours/week 11 places More than 46 hours/week 18 places and more than 40 hours/week 23 places There is a plan to fix periodically 3, 6, 9, 12 months. Working hours can be reduced. already 20 places

data section ‘Doctor resigns’ During the past 10 years (2013-2022), it was found that a total of 19,355 physicians were recruited. 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 the requirement that physicians have to pass. Increase skills before going to study, 2nd year physicians resign 1,875 people, representing 9.69%, average 188 people per year, this group is the highest because they can go to study, 858 people resigned from physicians in the 3rd year, representing 4.4% An average of 86 people per year and doctors resigned after spending the capital 1,578 people, representing 8.1%, an average of 158 people per year

655 doctors leave the system per year

Including 455 physicians resigning per year, combined with 150-200 retired physicians per year, so there are 655 physicians leaving the system per 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.

Taking care of personnel under all professions, focusing on 4 issues

1. Compensation increase There is a discussion with the Comptroller General’s Department to adjust various remunerations. in line with workload and economy
2. Welfare, including accommodation, environment, safety, various facilities
3. Work progress Discussed with the Civil Service Commission on the manpower framework positioning higher
4. workload Still need to produce doctors and ask for more allocations to fill in the system by the new manpower framework announced in 2022-2026

In the year 2026, the rate of 35,000 doctors was set, including discussions with the Civil Service Commission on new forms of manpower management. and diverse employment