The business of general and specialized clinics continues to grow in response to the aging society.

Nonthaburi, April 5-Department of Business Development reveals that the business of general and specialized clinics continues to grow. Since the COVID-19 outbreak until 2022, in the first 2 months of 2023, business registration increased by 32.41%, capital increased by 1.96 times, more than half of the clinics are located in Bangkok. Pointed out of increasing demand for medical services. Supporting an aging society that accounts for nearly 20% of the country's population

Thosapon Thangsubutr, Director-General of the Department of Business Development Ministry of Commerce revealed that the business analytics team Division of Business Information, Department of Business Development Has analyzed business trends to watch in 2023, with one of the outstanding businesses being the general and specialized clinic business. Considered by the volume of business registration capital used for business and operating results for the past 3 years, including data from various agencies Related and social context to analyze business growth trends. It is a business that has a growth rate in many dimensions. Which is not only medical personnel who are interested in investing But general investors are also interested in investing in the business as well.

However, during the past 3 years (2020 - 2022), which was during the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease The general and specialized clinic business has entrepreneurs continually investing. And there are more business registrations. In 2020, 400 people were registered. Registered capital was 648.25 million baht. In 2021, 554 people were registered (154 people increased from 2020 or 38.50%), capital was 970.53 million baht (322.23 million increased from 2020). baht or 49.72 percent) in 2022, 893 registered persons (increased from 2021 in the amount of 339 persons or 61.20 percent), capital 2,227.70 million baht (increased from 2021 in the amount of 1,257.17 million baht or 129.53 percent) and the first 2 months of the year 2023 192 registered, an increase of 47 or 32.41% (January - February 2022, 145 registered) Capital 664.50, an increase of 440.25 million baht or 1.96 times (January - February 2022, capital 224.25 million baht)

However, the general and specialized clinic business is currently operating as of February 28, 2023, with a total of 3,780 cases, representing 0.44 percent of the total business being operated. and has a capital value of 18,033.86 million baht, representing 0.09% of all businesses operating in Thailand. Most businesses operate in the form of limited companies, 3,419 companies, representing 90.45 percent, capital value 16,852.09 million baht, mostly located in Bangkok 1,905 companies, representing 50.40 percent, registered capital 10,651.14. million baht, representing 59.06 percent, central region 578 companies, hundred 15.29 each, Northern region 386 cases, 10.21 percent, Northeastern region 372 cases, 9.84 percent, Eastern region 298 cases, 7.88 percent, Southern region 186 cases, 4.92 percent and Western region 55 cases, 1.46 percent.

Most of the general and specialized clinics are investments by Thai people. The investment value is 17,114.53 million baht, representing 94.90% of the total investment in this business. While the highest foreign investment is Singapore worth 327.92 million baht, 1.82 percent, China 165.99 million baht, 0.92 percent, Hong Kong 116.37 million baht, 0.65 percent and other nationalities 309.05 million baht, 1 percent. 71 The investment of entrepreneurs in the business of general and specialized clinics increased. Part of this comes from the increasing demand for medical services among the elderly. because it is an age that is easy to get sick, coupled with environmental problems climate change fast-paced lifestyle Stress problems affect people's health. causing the illness rate of Thai people to tend to increase Therefore, businesses in health or medical services are in demand and tend to grow more. Thailand is entering a completely aging society. The number of people aged 60 years and over in 2022 amounted to 12,698,329 people or 19.2% of the total population of the country (66.09 million people). Source: Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior.

In addition, this is in line with the health expenses of Thai people that tend to increase every year from 2016 -2020. In 2020, the value increased to 26,751 million baht, or 6 percent from 2019, which expenses The increase in health in 2020 can be divided into medical expenses. The highest amount was 255,883 million baht, followed by drugs and medical supplies in the amount of 198,764 million baht and Ayurveda equipment in the amount of 7,598 million baht, accounting for 55, 43 and 2 percent, respectively. It is an additional factor for general and specialized clinic business to be established. Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council

However, the general and specialized clinic business is a hospital business that does not accept patients overnight. Supporting factors that make patients choose to use general and specialized clinics Which is related to the convenience of using the service because the service can be used during the off hours. or outside office hours convenient travel located near the community Including the cost of medical treatment that is not very high. compared to private hospitals In addition, the health care trend of people nowadays requires medical specialists in specific diseases. In addition, the changing environmental situation causing more diseases such as air pollution Emerging infectious diseases, etc. In addition, the government has a policy for people to access health services thoroughly. Reduce the number of hospital visits Therefore, a project was born in which private clinics joined social security. hospital network clinic warm community clinics, etc., allowing people who exercise social security rights or gold patents to be able to use the service

Source: Thai News Agency