Abstract
There has been significant improvement in distribution of human resources for health in Thailand. Historically, a shortage of health personnel in rural areas was severe. Nevertheless, the most needed group in rural areas was the physician. The doctors, dentists and pharmacists in rural areas were mostly under compulsory service program by which they were financially subsidised while studying. Nevertheless, there were high turnover rates of these groups in rural areas. The Bureau of Health Policy and Planning was responsible for determining needs for HRH (human resource for health) for utilisation while the Ministry of University Affairs (MUA) mainly produced HRH especially doctors, dentists and pharmacists. However, the Office of Civil Service Commission (CSC) controlled staffing patterns of all public health facilities. Most reasons of leaving district level given by HRH were job dissatisfaction and their need for further training especially for being specialists. However, health sciences students and their parents were not against the compulsory service program rather favouring government financing for education. The paper proposed number of doctors at the provincial level be less than that of district level which was opposite to the CSC’s requirement and the compulsory service program be remained for doctors, dentists and pharmacists. More equity of HRH distribution among provinces should be implemented and additional budget should be given to district health facilities to employ additional staff. Financial and educational incentives should also be delivered for those working in rural areas.
