The event, held at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon.
The initiative allows Thai citizens in Phuket to receive medical treatment for any disease at any participating healthcare facility across the province, using just their national ID card, Dr Kusak explained.
The program, which is part of a broader government policy, aims to enhance the accessibility, convenience and quality of public health services throughout Thailand, he said.
The project eliminates the need for referrals between hospitals, except for university hospitals, and provides free treatment under the B30 healthcare scheme.
“Phuket Province has fully integrated its health data into a centralised system, ensuring coordination across all healthcare service providers, including private sector partners such as pharmacies, medical technology clinics, physical therapy centres and Thai traditional medicine clinics,” Dr Kusak said.
“The centralised system also facilitates the collection of service fees through the Ministry of Public Health’s Financial Data Hub, allowing for more efficient financial management,” he added.
Additionally, the program leverages digital technology to improve service delivery, with healthcare professionals now able to register for Provider IDs, issue electronic medical certificates and monitor patient health conditions remotely through telemedicine services.
The introduction of the Health Rider service further enhances convenience by providing home delivery of medicines and medical supplies, reducing waiting times and travel costs for patients, Dr Kusak said.
“This initiative represents a significant step forward in Phuket’s public health sector, promising quicker, safer, and more efficient healthcare services for all residents,” he added.
For further information, people were advised to call the 1330 hotline or visit the National Health Security Office (NHSO) website.
Of note, only earlier this month health experts said the universal healthcare policy, aka the B30 gold card scheme, was unlikely to provide adequate security to every citizen, suggesting the scheme be reformed for financial sustainability in the future.