Manaporn encouraged Village Health Volunteers on National VHVs Day, supporting the government to continue enacting the Village Health Volunteers Act to increase welfare and compensation, advancing community health, collaborating to solve drug problems, and improving community quality of life.
On 21 March 2026, Mrs. Manaporn Charoensri, Member of Parliament for Nakhon Phanom District 2 from the Pheu Thai Party and former Deputy Minister of Transport, visited the area to meet Village Health Volunteers during National VHVs Day activities across districts. She praised and encouraged them in their role of community health care and fostering cooperation in addressing drug problems and enhancing community quality of life. She also provided financial support for the National VHVs Day events as a morale booster.
Manaporn told the Village Health Volunteers in Nakhon Phanom Province that she deeply admired and encouraged their volunteer spirit in community health care. She said that although the compensation may be modest, their dedication to serving the community matters more. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, VHVs served as frontline health workers, playing a vital role in caring for people throughout the crisis without prioritizing compensation. Their cooperation helped Thailand overcome the pandemic. She also believes VHVs are key players in improving community quality of life and in current efforts to tackle drug problems.
Consistent with this, the Pheu Thai Party prioritized advancing the Village Health Volunteers Act during its previous government term, having secured Cabinet approval in 2025. However, the bill's submission to the House of Representatives for second and third readings was halted by the parliamentary dissolution. With the new government formed, and Pheu Thai participating, the party plans to reintroduce the bill for consideration. It is confident that within six months clarity will be achieved. The Act will enhance welfare, formalize VHVs’ work through law, provide compensation, and eliminate mandatory retirement age. Some qualified VHVs may be appointed as assistant nurses in Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals. There will also be a Village Health Volunteers fund offering low-interest loans and funeral assistance. These benefits will motivate VHVs, empowering them to work more effectively, ultimately improving community health and quality of life. The government must continue to ensure ongoing welfare support.