Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported that the Prime Minister was concerned for insured persons amid the Covid-19 outbreak. He urged the Ministry of Labour to work with the Ministry of Interior, NHSO, and Bangkok Administration, to add more channels for the Covid-19 services to reduce congestion and facilitate insured persons in the social security system under Section 33, 39, and 40, located in the Bangkok area. The efforts will allow such insured persons to receive Covid-19 testing for free, starting on April 17 at the West Sports Building 1, Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japan), Din Daeng, Bangkok.
On April 12, 2021, at the Prasong Rananant meeting room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin chaired a meeting with the Ministry of Labour’s senior executives to establish guidelines in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior (Bangkok) and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) regarding Covid-19 screening for insured persons in the social security system under Section 33, 39 and 40, located in the Bangkok area. The efforts will allow the insured persons to receive a Covid-19 test for free. The Ministry of Labour has coordinated with hospitals in the social security network to provide services at the West Sports Building 1, Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japan). Mr. Suchart said that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and the Ministry of Labour under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, is concern about the Covid-19 situation to prepare for all aspects of the pandemic escalates in severity. Today, the Labour Minister inviteก the Ministry of Labour’s senior executives to discuss and determine the guidelines that will be joined with the Ministry of Interior. National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Bangkok Administration. It will open and allow insured persons who will be examined, to register and reserve a queue for screening via the online application system. Qualifications of people who will be screened include those who are at risk. There will be screening staff who will screen at least 300 people per hour for Covid-19. The results of the tests will be received within 24 – 48 hours. The program will kick off on Saturday, April 17, at the West Sports Building 1, Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japan), Din Daeng, Bangkok.
Mr. Suchart said that he has consulted with Minister of Interior General Anupong Paochinda, Bangkok Governor General Asawin Kwanmuang, and NHSO Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee. The Ministry of Labour will work with the Ministry of Interior (Bangkok) and National Health Security Office (NHSO) to allow insured persons in the social security system under Section 33, 39, and 40 returning from Songkran Festival to the Bangkok area, to be tested for Covid-19 for free. However, if an insured person is detected with Covid-19, they must be sent to a hospital in the Social Security Office network for treatment. Insured persons infected with Covid-19 will receive free treatment in social security network hospitals. There are 81 places that are ready, with over 1,000 beds and an HQ with 200 beds.
Covid-19 screening for insured persons in the social security system under Section 33, 39, and 40 in this time increases service channels, as many hospitals now have a large number of people checking for Covid-19, causing congestion in long queues. The Ministry of Labour has the policy to facilitate insured persons to be examined quickly to help resolve the problem of further outbreaks, which will result in the business sector being able to continue.
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Division of Public Relations
12 April 2021
