Thai Medics Tell Of Struggle To Save Lives During Floods

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Medics tell of struggle to save lives during floods

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Following flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rain that killed 66 people and affected 290,000 households in southern provinces last month, medical personnel and rescue workers faced huge obstacles in helping patients.

Chief of Surat Thani's public health office, Dr Nattawut Prasertsiriphong, said many rural hospitals in the province were isolated from other areas by floods. Many patients were left in hospitals surrounded by high-level floodwaters.

About 25 rural hospitals and 54 healthcare units were damaged by heavy rain and flash floods. Over 100,000 households in Surat Thani were affected.

"Heavy rainfall continued all day and all night for three days, making the water level rise and surge very fast," Nattawut said. "This was the worst flood in 23 years. We did not even have a chance to see the sun and clear skies for three days."

Roads across the province were damaged and mobile phone signals were cut off. Hospitals were submerged in two-metre deep floodwater. Medical workers and patients, especially those in critical condition, were trapped inside.

Moreover, medication and water became unavailable.

"Even a 10-wheel truck could not enter the hospitals due to the high level of floodwater," he said.

"We spent at least three hours using boats and helicopters to transfer patients to receive medical treatment at a nearby hospital that was not affected by the floods," he added.

However, he said there was a lot of confusion among state agencies in tackling the situation as they lacked experience handling natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Si Thammarat's Emergency Medical Service Centre chief Songsak Naksang said mental-health rehabilitation for flood victims would be the next challenge for medical workers as many people were facing depression.

"Flash floods and landslides damaged their properties, especially rubber and palm oil plantations. Many lost their relatives. Even though they tell us they're okay, inside their hearts they still suffer," he said.

More than 900,000 people in Nakhon Si Thammarat province were affected by flash floods and landslides. Fortunately, no one died from the landslides, he said.

Most flood victims suffered minor wounds and some died by drowning.

Krabi Provincial Administration Organisation chief Somsak Kittitorakul said most local authorities lacked rescue equipment and the budget to help flood victims.

He said Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Offices in local areas should have an annual budget to support rescue missions for natural disasters.

"We asked marine police to help us transfer relief supplies to help victims, but they told us their boats were available but the gasoline tanks were empty. We had to pay them for gasoline. After that we could use the boats," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-21