Failed Jaw Surgery Leaves Thai Man Unable to Eat, Awaits Resolution

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In a distressing case highlighting potential healthcare shortcomings, a Thai man named Sommai has been left unable to eat following a failed operation on his broken jaw. The issue has drawn attention to the Social Security Office's (SSO) response and subsequent treatment lapses.

 

After fainting outside his home, Sommai was taken to a social security-affiliated hospital in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok, where he received initial treatment. Despite paying monthly SSO contributions, Sommai was required to cover most costs himself, including part of an 11,400 baht tooth extraction bill.

 

The procedure proved problematic; due to severe pain and bleeding, only two out of six problematic teeth were removed. Sommai's inability to open his mouth post-treatment was dismissed by hospital staff, who sent him home. His condition worsened, prompting a visit to Bangkok Thonburi University's dental faculty, where a broken jaw was diagnosed, necessitating urgent surgery.

 

 

 

Mahidol University, his next referral, insisted on an official case transfer from the initial SSO hospital for surgery slated for March 3. The transfer was denied, and Sommai, losing confidence in the SSO hospital, sought treatment independently. He covered a 12,000 baht cost at Mahidol while awaiting official support.

 

Currently, Sommai survives on liquid nutrition as he navigates delays in obtaining necessary surgical intervention. SSO officials, alerted to the situation through a Channel 3 report, have pledged to investigate the initial hospital’s diagnosis and handling of his case, aiming to resolve the ongoing medical and administrative challenges he faces, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-18