The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH; Thai: กระทรวงสาธารณสุข, RTGS: Krasuang Satharanasuk) is a Thai governmental body responsible for the oversight of public health in Thailand. It is commonly referred to in Thailand by its abbreviation so tho (สธ.).
| กระทรวงสาธารณสุข | |
 Seal of Caduceus by Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1918 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Thailand |
| Headquarters | Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi |
| Employees | ~400,000[1] |
| Annual budget | 135,389 million baht (FY2019) |
| Minister responsible | |
| Deputy Minister responsible | |
| Ministry executive |
|
| Website | www |
History
In Thailand before 1888 there were no permanent, public hospitals to provide care to sick people. Temporary hospitals were set up to care for patients during epidemics, then disbanded when the epidemic subsided. Under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) a hospital was constructed and completed in 1888 and named "Siriraj Hospital" in commemoration of the king's young son, Prince Siriraj Kakudhabhand, who had died of dysentery.[2] King Vajiravudh, King Chulalongkorn's successor, established Department of Health on 27 November 1918.[citation needed]
During the reign of King Rama VIII, the Ministry of Public Health was established on 10 March 1942 as a result of the enactment of the Ministries and Departments Reorganization Act (Amendment No. 3) of B.E. 2485. Later in 1966, the date 27 November was chosen as the commemoration day of the Ministry of Public Health's foundation.[2]
Budget
The MOPH was allocated 135,389 million baht in the FY2019 budget.[3]
Departments
Organisation
- Office of the Minister
- Office of the Permanent Secretary
- Department of Mental Health
- Department of Disease Control
- Department of Health
- Department of Medical Services
- Department of Medical Sciences
- Department of Health Service Support (HSS)[4]
- Department of Thai Tradition and Alternative Medicine
- Food and Drug Administration[5]
State enterprise
Public organisations
- Ban Phaeo Hospital (Public Organisation)
- Healthcare Accreditation Institute (Public Organisation)
- National Vaccine Institute (Public Organization)
- Health Systems Research Institute
- National Health Security Office (NHSO): Manages Thailand's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system.[6][7]
- National Institute for Emergency Medicine
See also
Further reading
- Nam, Illan (2024). "The Uneven State: Center and Periphery in Shaping State Capacity in Thailand". World Politics. 76 (1): 38–87.