Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) model utilizing governmental, academia and private enterprises network in Songkhla province, Southern Thailand : A preliminary result

Introduction
In Thailand, governmental occupation health providers aimed to develop the coverage and quality of service in private enterprises. Ministry of Public Health introduced BOHS model to meet the real needs in occupational health and safety services (OHS). The provincial network in Songkhla was established between health providers both at provincial and primary care level, academia from university, social security department and representatives from private enterprises to achieve BOHS.

Methods
Ten enterprises with at least 100 employees, two Primary Health Care Units (PCU), six private hospitals and clinics were participated. The baseline data were collected from each network organization during February – May 2011. A one-day meeting was held on BOHS model based on baseline data. 

Results
All enterprises have annual medical check-up, but a few implemented OHS risk assessment. Four of them had got SA8000 and TIS18000. Among 100 employees interviewed, 61% had medical risk check up, 27 % has known about Occupational Medicine (OM) clinic and 9% visited clinic last year. 16% reported work–related injuries and 6% reported work–related diseases. About 50% of private hospitals and clinics who provided medical checkup reported the readiness for OM services. 
Regarding the one-day meeting, the participants required the intensive safety training course. Most of PCU could provide only basic treatment of common occupational injuries and diseases but not the complicated ones. The two-days training on “Risk assessment and risk management of Workplace in BOHS Model Training” was given. The collaboration among governmental and private sector including academia demonstrated the possibility of BOHS model at provincial level.

Discussion
BOHS was a potential model to improve both the accessibility and quality of Occupation Health Service.