NHSO Approves Seven Thai-Made Medical Innovations for Universal Healthcare, Benefiting Over 105,000 Patients

Published: 11 Feb 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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The National Health Security Office in Thailand has approved seven medical innovations developed by Thai nationals. The innovations are used under the universal healthcare scheme. This has been made possible through research institutions and local private companies. More than 105,000 patients have benefited from these innovations in important and costly health care. The introduction of these innovations has reportedly generated almost 321 million baht in revenue for small and medium enterprises in Thailand.

The goods would prove to become a significant part of the country's universal healthcare program, cutting down on treatment costs, and creating avenues for accessibility on the part of the general patient population. The seven innovations in Thai medical use were also exhibited during an exhibition of Thai medical products from 28 January to 2 February under the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2025.

The Seven Thai-Made Medical Innovations Approved by NHSO

1. sPace Dynamic Prosthetic Feet

The sPace Dynamic Prosthetic Foot has been developed by Chulalongkorn University and offers a prosthetic foot that gives a more natural walk, improving mobility and thereby quality of life. It was approved by the NHSO, National Health Service Office, in March 2024 to be covered under the universal Thai health benefits scheme.

2. OV-ATK: Rapid Test Kit for Liver Flukes

This OV-ATK rapid test kit developed by the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute at Khon Kaen University might help clarify whether one has ingested liver fluke larvae within 15 minutes so that necessary treatment could be performed early and efforts made to revert illness.

3. Titanium Cranial Mesh Implant

This is because the nano-titanium cranial mesh implant produced by Meticuly Co Ltd has been made accessible through NHSO since September 2023 for patients and could save the suffering of up to 20,000 individuals requiring artificial skull patches due to injury or surgery.

4. 3D-Printed Polymethylmethacrylate Cranial Mesh Implant

This is the advanced alternative developed by Customised Technologies Co., Ltd. for skull reconstruction surgeries: the 3D-printed polymethylmethacrylate cranial implant.

5. Locally Produced Colostomy Bags

These are indigenously produced colostomy bags made from Thai rubber. Colostomy bags help patients suffering from colon cancer or any other condition that may require colostomy to evacuate waste. In 2019, the direct approval given to locally manufactured colostomy bags made from Thai rubber was made under NHSO.

6. Acellular Pertussis (aP) Vaccine

Imported vaccines were a source of concern for public health, and they were finally drained last June 2023 when a new acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine that will be injected into pregnant women was approved by NHSO as developed by BioNet-Asia Co Ltd.

7. Dental Implants

Lastly, affordable dental implants were designed under the Dental Innovation Foundation under Royal Patronage, which was approved by NHSO in October 2022 for more than 10 thousand patients who were unable to access dental prosthetics.

Economic and Healthcare Benefits

Seven medical innovations have been approved by the Thai government, a demonstration of commitment to local research as well as development in the country concerning the healthcare sector. Initiatives under the National Health Service (NHSO) not only floor the access of patients to treatment but also spur economic growth, particularly by endorsing Thai SMEs in the medical technology sector. As Director of the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Dr. Jittiporn Thammajinda brought out that the collaboration between TCELS and NHSO in supporting Thai medical innovators to further scale manufacturing and commercialization captures increased value.

The strategic advancement that Thailand is making by integrating medical products developed in the country into the universal healthcare system provides a model for other countries intending to reduce healthcare costs and promote domestic innovation. It aims for a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for patients and local businesses.