Dr Kongkiat Kespechara, a self-taught computer programmer, medical doctor and social entrepreneur from Thailand, shares his experience setting up and running Hospital OS with SEforum. Hospital OS is an open-source software that enables small rural hospitals to more effectively employ their resources to serve and to address the health issues of disadvantaged groups. In the course of the past seven years, Hospital OS has been adopted by about 100 healthcare centres in Thailand and adapted by countless to benefit an under-served population.

1. What inspired you to work on the Hospital OS?

As a medical doctor, I think of how I can care for more patients-not only to treat but also to prevent and give good care systemically.

In the year 2000, the economic crisis hit Thailand hard and hospitals in the rural area suffered from the new policy of “1USD to treat all disease”. This means that health care here changed from fee paid for service rendered to capitation.

While it is a good thing that everyone now have access to care, how can hospital use that limited capitation wisely? Here, I found an opportunity to develop hospital informatics system to provide crucial information for hospital to better manage, care and plan for their patients.

As my target hospitals are small rural hospitals which lack resources, I provide Hospital OS for free-as an open source software-so that they have the freedom to learn and use it to better serve their patients.

2. What does social entrepreneurship mean to you?

At that time, I did not know a thing about SE. I simply used my gut feeling to set up a business in which I can sustain my product, my team and my business, and at the same time, fulfill my passion without grants-or pressure-to distract me from my ultimate outcome.

It is only now that I realize to be a social entrepreneur is not different in terms of doing business but rather, in terms of the outcome. Even if there were no profit but to work with passion is great returns for me.

3. With the changes in the market today, do you think it has become harder or easier to succeed as a social enterprise or social entrepreneur?

It is easier in the sense that all the more people understand our business objectives now. On the other hand, it can be harder as big players can cannibalize the market by making their services cheaper for a short term before eventually increasing their prices to profit and hence, causes the death of some social enterprises.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring social entrepreneurs?

To be a social entrepreneur, you must recognise that the only reward you will get in return is the happiness that derives from working for your passion and not for money or for recognition. I am happy when I am working. I think we should not wait until we are rich before contributing to society. People can do many beautiful things for society without waiting until they are rich. I do it because I wish to do it, and not because of the money.

Tags: Thailand

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