This is an increase of about Bt16.55 billion or 9.3 per cent on the budget approved for the scheme in the ongoing fiscal year. The 2019 fiscal year will start on October 1.

Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, who chairs the NHSO board, revealed the figures yesterday.

Piyasakol said the estimated budget has increased because of rising costs – including inflation, soaring medicine prices, higher pay for medical personnel and greater benefits for people covered.

The scheme covers about 48.57 million Thais offering most types of medical services for free.

The NHSO offers its services through participating medical facilities, mostly state hospitals.

The total budget is divided into two main parts: one used as flat-rate per-head subsidy and the other for top-ups for specific health conditions or primary healthcare services.

“Of the estimated budget for the 2019 fiscal year, Bt176.56 billion will be for the per-head subsidy. On average, Bt3,634.82 will be given to participating hospitals per person covered through the universal healthcare scheme – up by 13.7 per cent from the current rate,” Piyasakol said.