Thai Health Ministry Boosts Medical Workers' Quake Preparedness

[webfact]

Ministry boosts medical workers' quake preparedness

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday instructed health officials in 22 provinces in earthquakeprone areas to stand by around the clock to provide emergency medical assistance in case of a disaster.

The 22 provinces are Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Songkhla, Ranong, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Officials in these provinces have been urged to prepare medical personnel and equipment to provide treatment in case of an earthquake or other emergency.

The move follows Monday's 4.3magnitude quake in Phuket's Thalang district, which shook highrise buildings in the province.

"I don't want to create panic among members of the public. I just want to build confidence," Witthaya told the ministry's executives and senior officials at a conference on emergency medical preparations in case of an earthquake.

He said he had ordered hospitals located along coastal areas - especially Pathong Hospital in Phuket and Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi hospitals in Phang Nga - to prepare evacuation measures and a referral system to transfer patients to receive emergency medical assistance at nearby hospitals.

Additionally, the ministry will send three mobile medical emergency vehicles to areas in Phuket province at risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. If an earthquake strikes, mobile hospitals will be set up immediately.

Witthaya also ordered the Health Service Support Department to examine all structures on the grounds of hospitals located in quakeprone areas.

Two buildings at Pathong Hospital sustained minor damage in Monday's earthquake.

The ministry has conducted a study on the earthquake situation in Phuket and found that there were many problems faced by health agencies tasked with providing emergency medical treatment.

Mobile phones could not be used for two to three hours after this week's earthquake. Health officials could not receive information about the earthquake directly from related agencies, and were limited to checking for information on the Internet, the minister said.

There were not enough medical workers to provide assistance to people in local areas, and food was not available as many shops were closed after the owners evacuated, he said.

Health staff could not transfer patients to other hospitals due to traffic jams, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-04-20

[MEL1]

Ministry boosts medical workers' quake preparedness

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The quaking being in the boots of pharmacists, of course.

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"The 22 provinces are Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Songkhla, Ranong, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Officials in these provinces have been urged to prepare medical personnel and equipment to provide treatment in case of an earthquake or other emergency."

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Aye, these areas are really likely to suffer from Earthquakes...... NOT, MORE LIKE floods first!

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"Health staff could not transfer patients to other hospitals due to traffic jams, he added."

------- Traffic jams due to swift movement of escorted medical supplies?

Hum.

-mel.

[anterian]

Ministry boosts medical workers' quake preparedness

--------

The quaking being in the boots of pharmacists, of course.

-------

"The 22 provinces are Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Songkhla, Ranong, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Officials in these provinces have been urged to prepare medical personnel and equipment to provide treatment in case of an earthquake or other emergency."

--------

Aye, these areas are really likely to suffer from Earthquakes...... NOT, MORE LIKE floods first!

-------

"Health staff could not transfer patients to other hospitals due to traffic jams, he added."

------- Traffic jams due to swift movement of escorted medical supplies?

Hum.

-mel.

Traffic congestion, try pseudoepedrine clears all forms of congestion:D