More than 24,000 patients use UCEP during past 17 month

BANGKOK, Sept 17 (TNA) -- The National Health Security Office (NHSO) reports that in the past 17 months more than 24,000 patients were taken care of under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) program costing 489 million Baht. Dr Karoon Kuntiranont, NHSO deputy secretary-general said on the progress being made by the UCEP program since April 1, 2017, when it was first initiated, up to August 30, 2018. He said that a total of 24,416 emergency cases were handled and 489 million baht in medical fees was forked out by the program. Of these, 15,780 claimed rights provided by the NHSO, 4,277 had used civil servant rights while the remaining 3,384 were for social security card holders. The government had pushed for the program in order to provide nationwide rapid medical care for emergency patients at the hospital in the nearest vicinity to prevent permanent crippling injuries and/or death among critically ill patients. "UCEP is one of the most important programs launched by the government to ensure the public has access to rapid emergency medical care whereby medical charges for the first 72 hours will be paid for by the government" said Dr Karoon. He said that without the cooperation of private hospitals throughout the country however this could not have been achieved. Emergency cases can be now be admitted to the nearest hospital. Overall Dr Karoon stated that the total amount of medical fees paid out under the program was comparatively modest when compared to the number of cases received by UCEP which bodes well for the future of the program. (TNA)