Abstract
This research was to study and propose functions, roles, and structure of
the Ministry of Public Health in the next decade as a mechanism of the National
Health System. The proposal was done by analysizing related documents and
research papers published in Thailand and other countries. Research methodology
also included individual and focus group interviews among those academicians
and involved partners in health. This study revealed rapid and tremendous
changes of global context re-defining health to cover physical, mental, social
and intellectual dimensions. Moreover a plenty of organizations and mechanism
related to health have emerged. The Ministry of Public Health that has
currently been responsible for health affairs of the country as the key stakeholder
is supposed to emphasize its functions and roles on collaborating and bridging
all the social sectors of the nation; it then systematically and apparently mobilizes
their resources and potential for health development.
Ten functions and roles of the Ministry of Public Health during 2007 -
2012 were proposed. 1) Play major role in formulating national health policy and
strategy. 2) Advocate knowledge generation and management. 3) Determine and
regulate health standard. 4) Build capacity of social sectors and people in health.
5) Enforce health and health-related law. 6) Superintend the control of diseases
and health hazards. 7) Superintend health care financing for people and specific
needy groups. 8) Secure and assure the integrity of health resources. 9) Implement
international health. 10) Mobilize the health-related royal initiation projects.
Therefore organizational structure of the Ministry during 2007 - 2016 would
be basically changed in comply with the aforementioned functions and roles. It
was proposed that all the health service facilities ranging from primary to tertiary
levels within the same services area would be reposed in the same authority
of command. It would also be legislatively adopted to be juristic body as a
state agency other than government agency or state enterprise but under the
supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. The status will also be applicable
to sub-specialty facilities. Meanwhile particular mechanism would be established
at the central level to coordinate those facilities in terms of policy and direction
of services as a whole.
To attain that goal, policy makers, high executives of the Ministry and
involved agencies must share policy commitment for changes. Then the establishment
of “The Bureau of Change Management for the Ministry of Public
Health” as an autonomous body under the supervision of the Ministry would
streamline and accomplish the organizational restructuring. The Bureau is supposed
to propose plan and phases of those undergoing change.
This research was to study and propose functions, roles, and structure of
the Ministry of Public Health in the next decade as a mechanism of the National
Health System. The proposal was done by analysizing related documents and
research papers published in Thailand and other countries. Research methodology
also included individual and focus group interviews among those academicians
and involved partners in health. This study revealed rapid and tremendous
changes of global context re-defining health to cover physical, mental, social
and intellectual dimensions. Moreover a plenty of organizations and mechanism
related to health have emerged. The Ministry of Public Health that has
currently been responsible for health affairs of the country as the key stakeholder
is supposed to emphasize its functions and roles on collaborating and bridging
all the social sectors of the nation; it then systematically and apparently mobilizes
their resources and potential for health development.
Ten functions and roles of the Ministry of Public Health during 2007 -
2012 were proposed. 1) Play major role in formulating national health policy and
strategy. 2) Advocate knowledge generation and management. 3) Determine and
regulate health standard. 4) Build capacity of social sectors and people in health.
5) Enforce health and health-related law. 6) Superintend the control of diseases
and health hazards. 7) Superintend health care financing for people and specific
needy groups. 8) Secure and assure the integrity of health resources. 9) Implement
international health. 10) Mobilize the health-related royal initiation projects.
Therefore organizational structure of the Ministry during 2007 - 2016 would
be basically changed in comply with the aforementioned functions and roles. It
was proposed that all the health service facilities ranging from primary to tertiary
levels within the same services area would be reposed in the same authority
of command. It would also be legislatively adopted to be juristic body as a
state agency other than government agency or state enterprise but under the
supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. The status will also be applicable
to sub-specialty facilities. Meanwhile particular mechanism would be established
at the central level to coordinate those facilities in terms of policy and direction
of services as a whole.
To attain that goal, policy makers, high executives of the Ministry and
involved agencies must share policy commitment for changes. Then the establishment
of “The Bureau of Change Management for the Ministry of Public
Health” as an autonomous body under the supervision of the Ministry would
streamline and accomplish the organizational restructuring. The Bureau is supposed
to propose plan and phases of those undergoing change.
