Dr. Suphat Petitions Rukchanok to Probe Public Health Ministry Event Budgets
Dr. Suphat has urged MP Rukchanok to investigate the Ministry of Public Health over hospital revenue spending on event organizers exceeding 500 million baht nationwide, as the House committee prepares to review the matter.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Dr. Suphat petitioned MP Rukchanok to investigate the Public Health Ministry's event spending.
- Hospital revenue funds used for events nationwide total at least 500 million baht.
- Phetchabun province alone spent no less than 7 million baht on events.
- The budget committee is set to bring the issue to the agenda for financial scrutiny.
Public scrutiny over government spending has intensified after Dr. Suphat met with MP Rukchanok to request a formal investigation into the management and financial practices of the Ministry of Public Health. He expressed deep concern over the current situation, noting that numerous hospitals are facing declining revenue reserves and struggling with inadequate funds to maintain proper patient care services.
However, Dr. Suphat pointed out that agencies under the ministry have continuously hired event organizers using hospital revenue funds, raising serious concerns regarding budget inefficiency and potential corruption. He disclosed that preliminary figures show Phetchabun province alone has spent at least 7 million baht on such events, while accumulated spending nationwide is estimated to reach no less than 500 million baht.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In response, MP Rukchanok stated that organizing events is not inherently wrong if the public genuinely benefits from them. However, regarding Phetchabun province—widely known as the political stronghold of the Public Health Minister's father—a thorough check is required to determine whether budget transparency was maintained or if abnormal allocations occurred compared to other provinces.
"If you look at it, the budget does not exceed 500,000 baht and is concentrated around 490,000 baht. Many people seeing this know it's not unusual. I believe the National Health Security Office should be reformed. As we well know, no matter which hospital, the NHSO faces payment issues, so we must investigate whether past budget spending has been reasonable and efficient."
Rukchanok
The controversy surrounding the diversion of hospital revenues toward event management highlights critical challenges in Thailand's public healthcare resource allocation. Hospital revenue—generated primarily through patient services—is generally intended for medical equipment and healthcare advancement, making external event expenditures a frequent target for transparency and accountability debates.
As the next step, MP Rukchanok plans to table the issue before the House Committee on Budget Monitoring. The committee is expected to summon official data regarding event organizer contracts from the Ministry of Public Health to determine whether public funds were utilized efficiently and fairly.
Source: Matichon Politics
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