Health Ministry gets 12bn baht extra budget for COVID-19 response

The Cabinet has allocated an additional 12.6 billion baht from the government’s central budget to the Ministry of Public Health for its COVID-19 response, covering staff compensation and procurement of medical equipment. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul revealed today that the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has been allocated an additional 12.6 billion baht budget from the government’s central budget to help fund the ministry’s anti COVID-19 operations. The biggest portion of this extra funding, 6.37 billion baht, will be used to fund the procurement of antivirals such as Favipiravir and Remdesivir, as well as other medicinal products and herbal products associated with COVID-19 treatment. A 4.54 billion baht portion will be used to pay overtime and hazard pay to healthcare workers, as well as 1.54 billion baht in funding for the operation of field hospitals, proactive testing events, vaccination sites, and laboratories. Another 215 million baht will be reserved for investment in durable articles and construction. The Minister of Public Health has urged the provinces to complete all disbursement processes by September, especially the overtime pay and hazard pay for healthcare workers.