Thailand

An estimated 1.5 million undocumented migrants registered with the Ministry of Public Health in 2018.

He will discuss how Thai hospitals can gain an international edge.

He will discuss the impact of UHC policy and health technology assessment in Thailand.

He will talk about how Southeast Asia’s medical services can turn consumer-centric.

Adjusted payment terms hit its bottomline. Bangkok Chain Hospital reported a 25% drop in its net profit to US$D8.5m (THB268m) in Q4, dragged by lower revenue from social security office (SSO) patients. Revenue from SSO patients fell 15% year-on-year due to an absence of revenue from chronic cases after SSO adjusted payment terms, a report by Maybank Kim Eng revealed. BCH received only 22.5% of SSO’s budget in 4Q18, compared to 80% in 4Q17. BCH also faced higher costs from the opening of KH Ramkhamaeng, which just opened in October. “The market expects BCH to deliver stronger earnings in FY19 as its base of SSO customers has enlarged following a higher quota from SSO. KH Ram should turn also around this year while BCH’s IVF center at WMC is scheduled to open by July,” the report stated.

Earnings took a hit.

Focus on intensive care may bolster sales 1-2% YoY to $590m (THB18.6b).

The maximum corporate income tax exemption may vary based on medical robotics' targeted activity.

Hospital profit can only fall by 0.7%-0.8% for every 1% price reduction.

The country’s procurement regime continues to favour local pharmaceutical firms.

Many private-public partnerships are still not designed to help the masses, only niche segments.

Eighteen-Month Digital Transformation Leads to Record High Patient Satisfaction Ratings in Several Departments at World Class, Multi-Specialty Private Hospital.

Femto Research Group won the Service Innovation of the Year Award at the HCA Awards 2018.

Profits are rising thanks to foreign patients.

But private consumption will stay strong.

Reforms may not materialise, analysts warn.