Sudan to learn from Thailand's universal healthcare scheme

BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) - Sudan wants to learn from Thailand's 30-baht universal healthcare scheme, as part of the North African nation's plan on public health system restructuring and security. Thai Public Health Minister Dr. Pradit Sintawanarong, who is attending the 66th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 20-28, told journalists on Wednesday that he earlier met his Sudanese counterpart Bahar Idrees Abu Garda on the sidelines of the 66th World Health Assembly to discuss the universal healthcare development and the Sudanese minister asked the Thai Ministry of Public Health to transfer knowledge on its successful 30-baht universal healthcare system to Sudan. Accepting the request, Dr. Pradit said Thailand is pleased to transfer relevant knowledge and experiences to Sudan. The Thai health minister suggested that a successful health insurance system is to also be affordable for the state, not to give unrealistic hopes to people and to begin with basic and essential health services. According to the Thai health minister, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Chanvit Tharathep has been assigned to head a Thai team tasked with transferring relevant knowledge and expertise to Sudan, as requested. The public health minister noted that the Thai team can do the task in Sudan and Sudanese officials can also inspect relevant operations in Thailand. (TNA)