PUBLISHED: August 4, 2024, 18:39
A comprehensive 10-year strategic plan to address the urgent shortage of healthcare workers is set to be presented to the cabinet this Tuesday, according to the Public Health Minister. This initiative comes on the heels of a cabinet decision made on July 9, approving proposals from the Ministry of Public Health aimed at bolstering the number of healthcare professionals in the public sector.
The strategy targets a substantial increase in graduates across various medical fields, with the goal of adding 31,074 doctors, 124,558 nurses, 9,800 pharmacists, 18,169 practitioners of Thai traditional medicine, and 36,993 public health workers within the next decade.
“Immediate action is crucial to ensure that the universal healthcare scheme is adequately staffed. The government’s ambition to position Thailand as a leading wellness and medical hub necessitates this increase,” stated the Minister.
Addressing the Nurse Shortage
Currently, Thailand is home to 71,616 doctors and 209,187 nurses. To meet the increasing demand, officials outlined three key strategies aimed at significantly raising the nursing workforce.
The plan includes ramping up the number of newly graduated nurses, as well as integrating an additional 10,000 nursing assistants who have undergone a one-year training program within the first three years. Additionally, enhanced benefits will be introduced to retain experienced nurses within the public healthcare system.
In a bid to strengthen the workforce, 375 retired educators will also be welcomed back into nurse-training institutions.
The Minister emphasized that skilled personnel are essential for the healthcare sector, and their numbers will be elevated to meet the growing demands over the next decade.
