Latest news with #SasikarnWattanachan
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Free HPV jabs at 24 universities
The government has launched a new initiative to offer free HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations to female students at 24 pilot universities across Thailand, aiming to improve women's health and reduce cervical cancer rates. The initiative, led by the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, targets female students aged 20 to 26 who have never received the vaccine, Deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan said on Thursday. The programme builds on the national policy of providing HPV vaccinations to girls aged 11 to 12, but data shows that many young women in higher education remain unvaccinated. The pilot will collect data to support a nationwide rollout. The single-dose, 9-valent HPV vaccine offers long-term immunity and helps protect against cervical cancer, Ms Sasikarn said. Participating universities include Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, among others. The spokeswoman urged eligible students to take part, calling the jab a vital step toward long-term protection.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
‘Gold card' healthcare now covers cancer patients' transport costs
Free transport services are now available to cancer patients seeking certain advanced treatments under Thailand's universal healthcare programme, the government has announced. The National Health Security Board has approved funding for the 'gold card' unicersal coverage programme operated by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to cover transport costs for patients requiring three high-end cancer treatments — proton therapy, eye plaque brachytherapy for ocular tumours, and robotic surgery — which are currently available only at major hospitals. 'Many patients have previously faced financial hardship due to interprovincial travel expenses,' deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan said on Thursday. 'This new benefit not only eases the financial burden but also increases access to life-saving care for patients and their families. It marks a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for Thai people.' Under the programme, the NHSO has established a coordination system linking referring hospitals with destination facilities. This includes arranging door-to-door transport for cancer patients and their relatives from their homes to designated public transport services without the need for advance payment. Upon arrival, connecting transport is provided to the treatment hospitals. The service covers round-trip journeys throughout the treatment process and is now operational, said Ms Sasikarn. 'The government is committed to developing and upgrading the national health security system to ensure equal access for all,' she said. 'We believe this measure will reduce burdens, build confidence and genuinely improve the quality of life for cancer patients.'
Bangkok Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
System flags dubious links
The government has launched "TISI Watch", an AI-powered system designed to remove substandard products from online platforms, aiming to enhance consumer safety and fair competition in Thai e-commerce. Deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan said the initiative, led by Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, was rolled out on July 7. The system operates 24/7, analysing suspicious product links for potential violations of Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) rules. Over the past five months of a pilot test, TISI Watch has flagged more than 125,000 suspicious links and taken down over 2,800. Legal action is under way in 777 cases, particularly involving major e-commerce platforms. Products frequently found to be non-compliant include food-grade plastics, children's toys, motorcycle exhaust pipes, power strips, power banks and helmets -- all posing safety risks. The system will soon expand to detect counterfeit goods and fake licences, with a public tip-off channel available via the "Report to Industry" Line account, she said.
