Rural doctors in seven lower southern provinces have called on the government to revoke its pay-for-performance (P4P) scheme and dismiss the public health minister.
They made their call yesterday as representatives of the Rural Doctors Society (RDS) and the government prepare to meet today and again on Thursday to discuss the group's demands.
"We won't negotiate any further details of the P4P scheme. We want the government to abolish it and remove Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong," Somchai Srisombandit, one of the southern RDS's leaders and the director of Tak Bai Hospital in Narathiwat, said.
The seven lower southern provinces are Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun, Trang, Phatthalung and Songkhla.
Dr Somchai said if the government continues to allow the Public Health Ministry to enforce the P4P scheme, the public health system will deteriorate.
Raman Hospital's director Rozalee Pattayabhut said the southern RDS could not be assured the government would accept its demand that Dr Pradit be dismissed.
"Whatever the outcome of the talks, we will remain firm that we cannot accept Dr Pradit as part of the ministry," Dr Rozalee said.
He said the group would continue its campaign of "Pradit, Get Out" if the government continues to allow the minister to stay in the job.
RDS president Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat said the society would hold its next protest on June 20 if the meeting fails to bring about satisfactory results.
Dr Pradit said yesterday he saw the talks as a good chance to explain the scheme.
He said he had prepared specialists and public health officials to explain to the RDS that he had no desire to damage the public health system.
Dr Pradit insisted the P4p scheme would strengthen medical service efficiency.
