UN praises Thailand's universal healthcare scheme, assistance to Rohingyas

BANGKOK, October 11 (TNA) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed appreciation to Thailand’s successful implementation of universal healthcare scheme, in which all citizens have equal access to basic healthcare services, and humanitarian assistance provided to Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told TNA that Ban expressed the admiration during his discussion with Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the sidelines of the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related forums, held in Brunei Darussalam from October 9-10, 2013. Teerat said the UN Secretary-General suggested that Thailand share knowledge on the management model of the 30-baht-per-hospital-visit healthcare scheme, which has already expanded to serve migrant workers, with other countries. According to the spokesman, the Thai prime minister, on the occasion, called for the United Nations to play more roles in assisting the Muslim Rohingyas. The spokesman revealed that the UN Secretary-General expressed gratitude to Thailand for providing assistance to the Rohingya migrants in accordance with international human rights standards and promised to coordinate with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to extend assistance to the Rohingya refugees. The ethnic Muslim Rohingyas have fled from Myanmar and have stayed at several shelters in Thailand. The government spokesman acknowledged the UN chief also praised the Thai government for entering peace talks with representatives of insurgent groups in the Thai far South. (TNA)