City launches 2nd Bangkok Health Market to improve services, communication

The 2nd Bangkok Health Market kicked off at Ratchaphiphat Hospital, showcasing the latest medical innovations and the progress of the city’s Ratchaphiphat Zoning project that aims to improve public-health services by enhancing collaboration between public and private partners.

“Bangkok Health Market aims to educate people about healthcare methods using modern innovation, and maximise access to public health services by improving communications to target groups,” said deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej as she opened the market on Thursday.

“The city has been deploying health units at the community level to teach people about basic healthcare as well as perform health screening to reduce crowding at local hospitals,” she said, adding: “The goal is to promote health understanding to prevent people from getting sick, which is the best strategy against any disease.”

Tavida said that an exhibition at the health market also highlighted how the public health system in the city works, steps in receiving treatments at medical units at different levels, and where people should seek medical attention based on their symptoms.

“Primary patients are encouraged to see doctors and health volunteers at local clinics first. This way the hospitals will not become overcrowded,” she said, adding that under the city’s hospital zoning project, each hospital will act as zone manager or system manager, providing guidance to local health units, clinics, and pharmacies to ensure the best possible healthcare for the patients.

The project also focuses on providing mobile medical services to bedridden patients and those who have trouble travelling to health units or hospitals.

“We also try to keep the healthcare lessons simple to maximise people’s understanding. The project, however, still needs improvement in areas of innovation and research that help create ease of access to medical services,” Tavida said.

“We hope that Bangkok Health Market will help enhance interactions among patients and health practitioners, creating a society of healthcare that facilitates the provision of medical services for all,” she said.