The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has expanded healthcare coverage for monks who have had problems accessing medical services in the upper northeastern provinces.
Athaporn Limpanylers, deputy secretary-general and spokesman for the NHSO, said that the office established five more healthcare centres in the region last year, bringing the total to 32. All the centres are supervised by National Health Security Office Region 8.
"The establishment of the centres has created a mechanism to streamline healthcare management, especially with regard to developing a system that allows us to waive referral documents for patients in the seven upper northeastern provinces."
"The monks' health insurance under the NHSO has compelled many to take part in the health promotion programme where they can take better care of themselves. The result will be greater health literacy in the long run," said Dr Athaporn.
Yutthakan Prapakorn, head of the health promotion for clergy unit at Health Clinic Centre 8, said the Health Department has worked with the Sangha Supreme Council to publish a so-called "health charter" for monks nationwide aimed at educating them about basic health.
They also worked together to train health volunteer monks to take care of sick fellow clergy at temples.
Apart from monks, the health training programme also includes nuns. The department has launched both online and practical courses at tambon health promotion hospitals in first-aid skill training and the use of traditional herbs.
There are about 9,000 workers who double as temple health volunteers nationwide. Of them, 902 are qualified to provide basic treatments," Mr Yutthakan said.
Phramaha Aekachai Wisutto, a health volunteer monk at Wat Si Chom Phu Ong Tue in Nong Khai, said many monks suffered non-communicable diseases (NCDs) -- such as hypertension, diabetes, heart and kidney diseases. The monk volunteers recommended that fellow monks adopt a healthier eating regime and take more exercise.