Thailand’s Flood-Related Death Toll Rises To 61

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Thailand’s flood-related death toll rises to 61

BANGKOK, April 8 - Thailand’s flood-related deaths rose to 61 Friday while floods continued in six provinces, according to Jurin Laksanavisit, Public Health Minister.

The death toll on Friday was recorded at 61, including 27 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 12 in Surat Thani, 10 in Krabi, six in Phatthalung three in Chumpon, two in Trang and one in Phangnga. Meanwhile, floods have receded in several areas but remain in six provinces including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Trang, Krabi and Songkhla.

Mr Jurin said more than 80,000 persons received treatment from mobile medical units. Most patients--44 per cent--had colds and 35 per cent had athlete’s foot. Some 1,200 persons, with various kinds of mental health concerns, consulted with psychologists, while about 100 had high stress levels, 169 were depressed and 72 considered at risk of committing suicide.

Anxiolytic drugs were prescribed for 223 patients requiring follow-up observation, visits will be made to those patients to refer them to psychologists in the Mental Health Department.

The ministry sent 30,000 sets of medications to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani. Public health officers educated people in flood-hit areas in prevention of water-borne diseases.

According to the minister, 187 hospitals and public health service units were affected by the floods, and 17 facilities remain closed. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-08

[Greyman]

Sad news regarding the 61 dead.

Possibly the money spent on treating 35 200 with colds, and the 28 000 treated for athlete's foot, could have been spent on providing for the families of the deceased. These two conditions are hardly classed as serious!