BMA offers free medical equipment loans through Fa-Equipment

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a free medical equipment loan service called Fa-Equipment, aimed at helping residents caring for bedridden relatives. This scheme was announced on August 24, 2026. Fa-Equipment provides a range of medical equipment, including patient beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, suction machines, walking canes, walkers, and crutches. Other medical and public health items may also be issued as needed.

Eligibility for the service is limited to elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and dependent or bedridden patients in Bangkok who are under the care of a public health service center. A social worker or multidisciplinary team must assess the need for the equipment. Age or disability status alone is not enough to qualify for a loan.

Patients can apply through the Fa-Equipment website or by contacting a social worker at their nearest public health service center, numbered from Center 1 in Saphan Mon to Center 69 in Khan Na Yao. Once a request is received, a social worker or multidisciplinary team conducts a home visit to assess the patient's needs and provides the necessary equipment along with guidance on its usage. Patients unable to travel can have a third party file the request for them, providing both their and the applicant's ID cards.

The announcement on August 24, 2026, does not restrict the role of the third party to relatives only. The equipment is lent and must be returned to the BMA once the patient no longer needs it, allowing the equipment to be recirculated to other patients. Residents can also donate their unused medical equipment to the Fa-Equipment system, which may then be issued to other assessed patients.