The Ministry of Public Health is now aiming to re-categorize COVID-19 as an endemic disease within four months, saying the transition will be facilitated by a “detect, dispense, conclude” protocol that will soon be implemented for outpatients.
Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Public Health, explained that under the “detect, dispense, conclude” service, suspected cases will be tested using antigen test kits (ATKs). A positive result will prompt a doctor to dispense medication under three formulas. The first formula employs Favipiravir drugs while the second involves green chiretta. The third formula dispenses treatments for cough, fever or runny nose according to a patients’ symptoms.
The new service is expected to facilitate the transition of COVID into a disease that can be self-managed without hospitalization. The new protocol will be provided as an alternative choice for treatment alongside existing channels.
“Detect, dispense, conclude” will be implemented on March 1.
Kiatiphum said the provinces of Chiang Mai and Phuket have already implemented this treatment protocol with favorable results. Implementation has also been ongoing at various healthcare facilities, such as Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok.
The permanent secretary said the protocol enables patients to avoid close contact with others and reduce travel requirements. Certain patients within the “608” group of individuals at high risk of severe symptoms may also opt for this treatment pathway.(NNT)
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