TY - JOUR DP - http://iris.who.int/ DB - WHO IRIS EP - 33 AU - Walaiporn Patcharanarumol AU - Warisa Panichkriangkrai AU - Sangay Wangmo AU - Jadej Thammatacharee AU - Masaaki Uechi AU - Yaowaluk Wanwong AB - Universal health coverage (UHC) is a key policy issue in countries of the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. However, despite projectionsof significant increases in burden, there is little protection against the financial risksassociated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes. Thailandachieved UHC of all 67 million of the population in 2002, under three public healthinsurance schemes. The country therefore provides a case-study on diabetesprevention and care in the context of UHC. Although the budget for the ThaiUniversal Coverage (UC) scheme, which covers nearly 80% of the population,increased significantly during 2003–2013, the proportion allocated to clinicalprevention and health promotion declined from 15% to 11%. The financial case forinvestment in diabetes prevention is made, particularly with respect to a focus onprimary care and the use of community volunteers. The UC scheme can expandto nearly 100% population coverage, with a comprehensive benefit packageand financial risk protection. Although the rates of complications and fatalitiesin patients with diabetes have improved over the last few years, achievementof well-controlled fasting blood glucose for all patients is still the main challengefor further improvement. It is recommended that, in order to improve coverageof diabetes care and prevention, it is essential for countries in the WHO SouthEast Asia Region to include major NCD services, in particular primary prevention,in their UHC strategies. Since a resilient health system is key to UHC delivery,strengthening of the health workforce and infrastructure should be part of anyaction plan to prevent and control diabetes LA - en PB - World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia UR - https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/329630 JF - WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health DA - 2016-04 PY - 2016-04 IS - 1 SP - 27 TI - Diabetes prevention and care in the universal health coverage context: the example of Thailand VL - 5 KW - diabetes KW - noncommunicable diseases KW - Thailand KW - universal health coverage SN - 2224-3151 (Print) SN - 2304-5272 (Electronic) N2 - Universal health coverage (UHC) is a key policy issue in countries of the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. However, despite projectionsof significant increases in burden, there is little protection against the financial risksassociated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes. Thailandachieved UHC of all 67 million of the population in 2002, under three public healthinsurance schemes. The country therefore provides a case-study on diabetesprevention and care in the context of UHC. Although the budget for the ThaiUniversal Coverage (UC) scheme, which covers nearly 80% of the population,increased significantly during 2003–2013, the proportion allocated to clinicalprevention and health promotion declined from 15% to 11%. The financial case forinvestment in diabetes prevention is made, particularly with respect to a focus onprimary care and the use of community volunteers. The UC scheme can expandto nearly 100% population coverage, with a comprehensive benefit packageand financial risk protection. Although the rates of complications and fatalitiesin patients with diabetes have improved over the last few years, achievementof well-controlled fasting blood glucose for all patients is still the main challengefor further improvement. It is recommended that, in order to improve coverageof diabetes care and prevention, it is essential for countries in the WHO SouthEast Asia Region to include major NCD services, in particular primary prevention,in their UHC strategies. Since a resilient health system is key to UHC delivery,strengthening of the health workforce and infrastructure should be part of anyaction plan to prevent and control diabetes ER -