Plan ahead for crisis, health groups warn govt

Health policy-makers urged the new government yesterday to launch a rescue plan for the two million people expected to be laid off by the end of next year. They also want the health system "protected" from being savaged by economic turmoil.

Thailand's International Health Policy Programme director Dr Viroj Tangchareon-satient said the global slowdown was already hurting the Kingdom, and would have an adverse impact on people's health, especially the poor and unemployed.

To mitigate these impacts, Viroj told the recent National Health Assembly, relevant agencies had drafted three urgent measures for the government....