Five hospitals have insufficient budgets for patient care after deducting medical staff salaries from a lump-sum payment under the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UC) scheme, according to the Public Health Ministry.
The five are the island Koh Phi Phi Hospital in Krabi, Mai Kaen and Mae Lan Hospitals in Pattani, Sing Buri Hospital and Bang Sai Hospital in Phangnga.
The massive losses were unveiled after an amendment to the National Health Security Act proposed the separation of medical staff salaries from the lump-sum budget, dispensed based on the number of residents, under the UC scheme, or the gold card scheme.
MOPH permanent secretary Sopon Mekton said Koh Phi Phi Hospital received 1.7 million baht in a lump-sum payment, or 3,100 baht per resident, last year.
However, after deducting the salaries of medical staff from the budget, only 54,209 baht was left for healthcare services for their 1,421 residents.
As for the four other hospitals, Mai Kaen Hospital received 17 million baht for 10,686 residents. The hospital, however, suffered a 3.95 million baht loss after deducting the salaries.
Sing Buri hospital obtained 128 million baht for 44,297 residents. After separating the salary from the budget, they suffered a 13.4 million baht loss.
About 21 million baht was also dispensed to Mae Lan Hospital for 13,890 residents. Still, the hospital faced a 1.4-million-baht shortfall. Bang Sai Hospital received about 11 million baht for 13,890 residents. The hospital was in the red by 142,059 baht.
"This is the reason why we have to separate medical staff members' salaries from the lump-sum payment under the UC scheme. Many hospitals in rural areas have suffered losses for several years as there are few residents in their areas," Dr Sopon said, referring to the changes in the bill, which some healthcare workers have opposed for fear it could result in decreased patient care.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Narong Pipatanasai instructed the ministry to compile a report on the lump-sum system and put it on its website, so the public will be able to judge its efficacy, he said.
"It is a proper solution to clear a public doubt over the ministry's disbursement. Budgets during 2016-2017 will be reported first. This approach can help explain why the cabinet earlier approved five billion baht to the ministry to help those hospitals," he added.