Bangkok –
The Thai Ministry of Public Health is planning to propose to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) scheduled international flights from the Middle East to bring patients with non-Covid-19 infections to be treated at the country’s hospitals to boost the domestic economy.
Sathit Pitutecha, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, said yesterday, October 6, after a visit to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok to survey the management model of Alternative Hospital Quarantine (AHQ) that at least 154 hospitals nationwide are currently serving more than 1,000 foreign patients but there are reportedly 10,000 more non-Covid patients from around the world who are in need of various medical treatments in Thailand.
PHOTO: Dailynews
Therefore, it is worth considering arranging charter flights to Thailand from other countries, especially in the Middle East where the demand for health care in Thailand has been significantly high, Sathit stressed.
The Ministry of Public Health will further propose and discuss the matter with the CCSA as well as the Ministry of Transport and the Security Department regarding the possibility to welcome international medical tourists as it would also indirectly benefit the national economy.
PHOTO: Dailynews
The Deputy told the press: “Currently, there are many foreign patients particularly from the Middle East, China, Laos and Cambodia who are interested in receiving treatment in Thailand.”
“Many non-Covid international patients have shown their interest already and some of them have already provided a 72-hour Covid-free medical certification to visit the country but, unfortunately, there are no current flights from Thailand to pick them up.”
“Therefore, the increase of international flights for medical tourists should also be mentioned as one of the country’s re-opening schemes as it will also potentially boost Thailand’s economic growth during the Covid-19 pandemic.” the Deputy concluded.
