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The Fiscal Sustainability of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage System: Lessons from Comparative Analysis of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Indonesia |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Parinya Wangdumrongwong |
| Title | The Fiscal Sustainability of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage System: Lessons from Comparative Analysis of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Indonesia |
| Publisher | National Institute of Development Administration |
| Publication Year | 2569 |
| Journal Title | NIDA Development Journal |
| Journal Vol. | 66 |
| Journal No. | 1 |
| Page no. | 124-137 |
| Keyword | Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Fiscal Sustainability, Healthcare Financing, Comparative Health Systems, Strategic Purchasing, Thailand |
| URL Website | https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/NDJ |
| Website title | NIDA Development Journal |
| ISSN | 2822-0536 |
| Abstract | This study examines the fiscal sustainability challenges confronting Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system, which is facing increasing fiscal pressure from population ageing, rising healthcare expenditures, and the growing costs of medical technologies. These challenges have contributed to accumulated financial deficits among a significant number of public hospitals. Employing a qualitative research approach based on documentary research and comparative policy analysis, the study compares healthcare financing systems in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Indonesia through the lens of fiscal sustainability.The findings reveal that Thailand’s primary challenge stems from a structural imbalance between the growth of healthcare expenditures and available fiscal resources. Comparative analysis shows that the selected countries have adopted different institutional mechanisms to enhance healthcare sustainability, including strategic purchasing and health technology assessment in the United Kingdom, global budgeting and expenditure control in Canada, and referral management alongside diversified financing arrangements in Indonesia.The study concludes that strengthening risk-adjusted resource allocation, enhancing strategic purchasing mechanisms, improving expenditure management, and diversifying healthcare financing sources are critical for ensuring the long-term fiscal sustainability of Thailand’s UHC system while preserving equitable access to healthcare services. The findings provide policy-relevant insights for healthcare financing reform in Thailand and other middle-income countries facing similar fiscal challenges. |
