In Thailand, the primary care system is the first point of contact or gateway for people to access and utilize health services. It is an important mechanism for enabling people to access quality health care service on a continuous basis. It is also a measure to improve efficiency in health...

Background: Thailand achieved universal health coverage (UHC) in 2002 by introducing a tax-financed health insurance scheme, the UHC scheme, to approximately 47 million of Thais. With the comprehensive benefit package and clear objectives in ensuring equitable access to essential health care,...

The major aims of the universal health care coverage (UC) program initiated in Thailand in 2002 are not only to increase the access of people to essential health services, but also to reduce the financial risk they face due to out-of-pocket payments for health care. This study employed secondary...

Background: Thailand has achieved universal health coverage since 2002 through the implementation of the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for 47 million of the population who were neither private sector employees nor government employees. A well performing UCS should achieve health equity goals...

The establishment of universal social security systems has been one of the cornerstones of OECD countries' successful economic and social development and has contributed to reducing poverty and fostering social inclusion in today's rich countries. It is increasingly recognized that universal...

Objective: This paper assesses the health equity achievements of the Thai health system before and after the introduction of Universal Coverage (UC). It examines five dimensions of equity: equity in financial contributions, the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure, the degree of...