Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - March 2, 2009
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
HIV-positive people's access to drugs and other health services under the social security scheme would be terminated after six months of unemployment. This could plunge them into serious trouble, said Nimit Tienudom, director of the Aids Access Foundation.
People living with HIV/Aids needed to take essential anti-Aids drugs on a daily basis, he said.
Mr Nimit said 8,000-10,000 HIV-positive people were expected to lose their jobs this year. Economic experts predict about 2 million workers altogether would lose their jobs.
The SSO runs health care schemes for private employees. The social security scheme requires employees to contribute 1.5% of their income to the fund with their employers contributing a matching amount. The fund is worth more than 400 billion baht and generates 20 billion baht in earnings each year.
The unemployed could continue receiving health care under the scheme for up to six months. After that, they would have to switch to the universal health care scheme.
The foundation also called for an update of the social security scheme's regulations to better serve people living with HIV/Aids.
Mr Nimit said HIV-positive people listed under the social security scheme could not receive anti-Aids drugs at community hospitals. Many also lived in remote areas and it was hard for them to travel to city hospitals.
He said he planned to speak to the National Health Security Office board this month about preparations to provide medical services for people living with HIV/Aids.
National Health Security Office secretary-general Winai Sawasdiworn, who oversees the universal health care scheme, said he had discussed this matter with the SSO and was told there were about 3,000 HIV-positive unemployed.
The agency has enough money to cover extra HIV-positive people who are unemployed and switch to the universal health care scheme.
People could access medical services at district hospitals without having to wait for the expiry of the six-month health care scheme under the social security scheme, Mr Winai said.
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