Umphang hospital grapples with 40 million baht deficit due to Myanmar crisis

[webfact]

 

The Thai-Myanmar frontier healthcare services face a financial crisis as a result of the current political turmoil in Myanmar.

 

It has been reported that Umphang Hospital, situated in Thailand’s Tak province, has been hit by a considerable deficit of 40 million baht (US$ 1,140,576), which has forced the hospital to turn to the Ministry of Public Health for assistance.

 

Umphang Hospital has become the primary medical refuge for a significant number of migrants fleeing the political unrest in Myanmar’s ethnic states. The unexpected surge in patients has resulted in a drastic increase in the hospital’s operating costs.

 

To navigate the crisis, the Ministry of Public Health dispatched an emergency fund of 20 million baht (US$ 570,288) in July as an immediate interim step. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the Ministry’s permanent secretary, confirmed the recent funding and emphasised the rise in operational costs, exclusively owing to the migrant influx.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of โรงพยาบาลอุ้มผาง Facebook

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/umphang-hospital-grapples-with-40-million-baht-deficit-due-to-myanmar-crisis

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-12

 

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[Deli]

Don't they have to pay as all other foreigners have to ?

[couchpotato]

14 minutes ago, Deli said:

Don't they have to pay as all other foreigners have to ?

This has to be one of the $#@%$#  posts of the year.

They are people fleeing political and military oppression, so do you really think they have money to pay, or are covered by insurance.????

[natway09]

This to a large extent applies also to Phop Phra & Mae Sot.

Some of the injuries are horrific apart from general stuff.

The staff do a fantastic job of treating them.

[eisfeld]

4 hours ago, Deli said:

Don't they have to pay as all other foreigners have to ?

A lot of these people have nothing but their life on them. And they are lucky to even have that left.