Health Ministry Inspects Clinic, Finds Multiple Service Standard Violations
Health officials inspected a Bangkok clinic after a doctor verbally abused patients using government health cards, uncovering multiple violations including lack of required physicians and improper billing practices. The National Health Secu
On September 4, the Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health, and the National Health Security Office inspected a clinic in Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok, following reports that a doctor had verbally abused and made threatening phone calls to patients, specifically insulting those using the 30-baht health card as "lower-class patients." Dr. Phuvadet Surakote, director of the Department of Health Service Support, said officials from the legal and health facility divisions, working with National Health Security Office staff, were investigating the matter urgently.
Preliminary findings revealed multiple violations of the Health Facility Act of 1998, including the absence of a full-time practicing physician and an operating physician, as the previous operating doctor had ceased work at the facility. The inspection also identified improper billing practices, inadequate patient referral procedures, and service access issues such as dispensing chronic disease medications for only 3-7 days instead of standard periods. The National Health Security Office is considering suspending the clinic's authorization and transferring patients to nearby primary care facilities.
Dr. Akorn Praditsuwarn, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Service Support, emphasized that respectful and empathetic communication is central to medical practice. He noted that treating patients with compassion and respect for human dignity is a cornerstone of medical ethics, and that inappropriate language or discrimination may violate the Medical Council's Code of Ethics for the Medical Profession, 2022, particularly provisions requiring doctors to practice with civility and without coercion. The department is gathering further evidence to proceed with appropriate action.
