Would you kindly refrain from seeking medical attention?
Bangkok officials want healthy citizens to learn to live healthier lives to avoid visiting the doctor, and are sweetening the pot with the best incentive possible: cash.
Bangkok residents will receive THB1,000 cash if they don’t see a doctor for a whole year under a new health campaign by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
The elegantly named “One Year of No Doctor Visit = 1K Baht” program follows Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra’s health policy to reduce doctor visits by Bangkok residents and encourage them to pay attention to their health, said Deputy Governor Pussadee Tamthai.
Here’s how it works: Citizens register to join the program which requires them to attend a seminar and receive proper training about health, exercise and eating right. At the end of the year, participants who do not hold a hospital record for a whole year will receive THB1,000 cash.
The idea initiated from the statistics that proved Bangkok residents are less healthy and visit hospitals more often. The campaign is currently waiting for Bangkok Governor’s final approval and is expected to launch next year in order to reduce the number of patients and cost for hospital bills, Prachachat reported.
At the beginning of 2013, The Nation reported that the Thai government was seeking ways to reduce its swelling health care costs.
