Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the duties and powers of Phitsanulok Provincial Administrative Organization regarding jurisdiction of sub-district health stations. Attention was focused on rules and regulations relevant to the transfer of control over sub-district health stations in the province. Solutions were proposed on how to amend rules and subordinate legislations conducive to efficient transfer of operation of those health stations. Special attention was paid to promoting the healthcare system. The final outcomes were 27 recommendations for national and local policy and measures necessary for public health law reform, especially the operation of universal health coverage scheme. Analyses were carried out on duties and powers of a given provincial administrative organization in dealing with transferring of parts of its missions. Relevant laws, rules and regulations, and subordinate legislations required to achieve any transfer of its mission were also analyzed. Also included were announcements made by the Decentralization Committee, standard operating procedures in managing manpower, budgeting, materiel, and office space. Relevant management systems analyzed included information, drug and medical supplies, patient referral, cooperation and coordination of local and central administrative bodies, and collaboration among primary healthcare units in each province. In short, research findings included a lack of urgent measures to ensure implementation of relevant laws and guidelines provided by the Decentralization Committee. Consequently, problems and issues, and misunderstanding among relevant workers in the field, particularly in the public health sector and provincial administrative organization. Dealing with these issues in a timely manner could potentially lead to reform and improvement of the system by implementing recommendations from this study.
