BANGKOK, 6 August 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has instructed all hospitals under its supervision in 13 provinces along the Chao Phraya and the Pa Sak Rivers to be ready to safeguard their facilities against floodwater from the North.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health MD Paichit Warachit today paid a visit to Chum Saeng Hospital in Nakhon Sawan province and Inburi Hospital in Sing Buri province in order to observe their preparations for the floodwater, which was flushing down from the northern region. On this occasion, he said he had commanded all 124 hospitals under the Public Health Ministry’s supervision within provinces along the Chao Phraya and the Pa Sak Rivers to brace themselves for possible inundation.

There are reportedly 13 provinces at risk of river runoffs, consisting of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok.

The hospitals have been tasked with protecting their facilities from being submerged, having medical equipment ready for use at all times, preparing to transfer patients to other hospitals if necessary and adjusting their services in accordance with the situation. They were also told to open Hotline 1669 in order to provide services to flood victims around the clock.

At present, there are 15 provinces troubled by floods, and the Ministry has dispatched 80 teams of mobile medical staff to aid local residents. Nearly 10,000 people have fallen ill; half of them are suffering from athlete’s foot and numerous others have cold symptoms and body rashes. However, no infectious diseases have arisen.

Reporter: Surapan Laotharanarit,
National News Bureau of Thailand