The 15th National Health Assembly scores consensus! He decided to establish 5 pillars as a “policy guiding framework” to create “income security for a good quality of life when reaching old age”, hoping to create a system and create life-saving behavior for Thai people. Ready to advance as a national agenda for joint mobilization of all parties.
Office of the National Health Commission (National Health Commission) together with the Thai television station PBS The Center for Public and Social Policy Agenda Communication (The Active) and the Foundation for Research and Development on Gerontology (Research and Development Institute geriatric) jointly organized the National Health Assembly on the topic of income security for a good quality of life when entering old age It is one of the three agendas of the 15th National Health Assembly in 2022, with Dr. Somchai Peerapakorn as chairman of consideration.
for health assembly stage this time Health Assembly members agreed that Thailand is needed and ready to provide income security system. that people in society of all ages All professions from all sectors Co-ownership and contribution to operations And there should be public policy for all sectors to work together and lead concretely. and produce clear results.
Therefore, there is consensus on the policy statement regarding 5 main elements which are systematically interconnected and need to be driven together, namely 1. Development of population productivity, employment and adequate labor income throughout life 2. Sufficient subsidy to the livelihood that every elderly person should receive and necessary social services from the state 3. Long-term savings for old age that links both individual savings and collective savings that are global, sufficient and sustainable, including financial management both individually and familiar. 4. Access to health insurance In each fund, the emphasis is on risk screening and prevention of addiction in the elderly. Not limited to treatments such as cancer, aspiration, vaccines, dementia, falls, and access to non-exclusive benefit packages such as diapers and other supplies. Including long-term health services (long-term care) 5. Care, shared resource allocation. and management by families, carers of the elderly, communities and localities
At the same time, it is also proposed to set a national agenda. with relevant bodies and encourage participation in joint operations to be a public policy that can be implemented with tangible results There is a national mechanism to integrate subsystems and lead the grand system. Linked to area-level mechanisms for the allocation and participatory management of resources to achieve the goal of creating equity leaving no one behind and having a good quality of life in older people for all people
Dr Prateep Thanakitcharoen, secretary general of the National Health Commission, revealed that it was common knowledge that Thailand was moving towards a completely aging society. with an elderly population exceeding 20 percent, which will be followed by cost burdens that weigh on the country’s economy Therefore, creating an income security system to support the aging of society Therefore, it is important to be considered and reach a consensus this time. Before being certified and creating a commitment to lead again together at the 15th National Assembly of Health, which will be held December 21-22, 2022
“We are facing a post-COVID-19 situation. aggravated by the economic crisis create stomach problems living, eating linked to a holistic dimension of health in the context of the challenges of an aging society The number of elderly people is projected to increase by around 1 million per year over the next 20 years, so it is essential to work together to plan our lives and design a system to prepare. Because it’s not just about the elderly. it is about the present and the next generation. That must take part in determining this desirable future together,” said Dr. Prateep.
While Dr Somsak Chunharas, chairman of the board of the National Public Health Foundation (NSC), said the issue of income security had been discussed in the past. or to put it simply, it is having a pension system for Thai people. But the question is, what should this upcoming system look like? Because it’s not just about people’s income. but also in the expenses of the country to consider
“An important step after becoming a resolution of the National Assembly of Health. This proposal will then be sent to the Cabinet (Cabinet) to take forward. But another part we’re going to do is to invite society to help make that happen as well. Because we don’t want to communicate the issue to politicians. or just authorized person but still want to speak to the society as a whole to recognize and understand this matter Both in terms of creating a system and regulating various saving behaviors,” said Dr. Somsak.
On the part of Dr. Wirun Limsawat, the working group for the development of issues, he said that it can be seen that the policy direction framework that this time the members of the Health Assembly jointly have a consensus. It consists of 5 pillars, both in the corner and in creating the image of the elders. That doesn’t just mean income-generating jobs. but also to create value for society which can be seen in many aspects Facilitating long-term savings that are possible for everyone. Subsidies and other welfare that reduces people’s expenses health insurance system Including care of the elderly by society, etc.
“The important thing is to change the way people think. that this matter is not exclusive to the elderly But it is relevant to people of all ages. As for the guarantee, it’s not just about pensions or money, it’s all 5 pillars, and it’s not just about the government. But that’s everyone’s business. Therefore, one of the objectives of the Health Assembly Resolution That is, we will announce this policy as a national agenda. So that everyone can come together to recognize and realize it,” said Dr. Viroon.
