PM Yingluck: Hospitals must accept all accident victims during Songkran period

BANGKOK, 8 April 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Public Health Ministry to inform all hospitals in the country to admit accident victims at any time during the Songkran period, whether or not they are entitled to health care benefits with the hospitals.

Deputy Public Health Minister, Dr. Chonlanan Srikaew (ชลน่าน ศรีแก้ว) on Saturday indicated the Premier's concerns are due to the fact that the number of accidents usually doubles at this time of the year.

He explained that the most common causes of accidents are drunk driving, and riding motorcycles without helmet. He added that the ministry has done all it can to prevent road accidents including pre-Songkran campaign to promote safety on the road, and random inspection of entertainment venues and roadside stalls to ensure strict enforcement of liquor ban during the festival.

The Deputy Public Health Minister also urged all motorists to remain vigilant on the road, especially during the 7 dangerous days of Songkran. He said an emergency medical hotline 1669 has been made ready to accept complaints around the clock.

Dr. Chonlanan also affirmed hospitals are ready for an inevitable influx of accident victims during the period despite a lower number of medical personnel due to holiday leaves.


-- NNT 2013-04-08

I like the move.

Shows pro-activeness and prior planning.

But given that this move is necessary,

I'll try to stay off the roads during that period.

He explained that the most common causes of accidents are drunk driving, and riding motorcycles without helmet.

While I am a proponent of always wearing a helmet, and one may suffer a more serious injury without a helmet. riding without out a helmet certainly doesn't CAUSE accidents.

, and random inspection of entertainment venues and roadside stalls to ensure strict enforcement of liquor ban during the festival.

So is all alcohol selling banned everywhere? Just in certain areas? Is it banned 24/7 or just certain times?

Also how can you make a pre festival random check to inspect whether rules not yet in place are being enforced?

The instructions, decrees, and orders issued by the PM, will probably be just as effective as the RTP ordering casino doors to be opened, so they could conduct their raid and apprehend the illegal punters.

The seemly daily directives issued are about as meaningful and productive as the photo shoots that accompany them. Did someone forget to remind her that many rural hospitals' doctors, are leaving due to offical orders passed down by this government. Concern should include compentent treatment for accident victims, not just admission. She also may want to include in her "suggestion" that the victims be discharged prior to demand of full payment of bill.

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

all hospitals in the country to admit accident victims at any time during the Songkran period, whether or not they are entitled to health care benefits with the hospitals

.

Look forward to the responses from all the exclusive private hospitals regarding this edict.

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Looking forward not to need any hospital services :-)

Rest assured with all measures announced by government officials this Songkhran will be the safest ever. Also somewhat crowded if all 2.69m tourists arrivals in the coming two weeks actually happen.

Okay....

...read the headline...slowly...and let it sink in....slowly....and think about it.....

Is it just me, or...is that actually a no- brainer and a thing that should be done universally?

You are injured...you get to a hospital...you get help...

The ethic's committee where are you, no one involved in the medical profession should even think of turning anyone way from any medical establishment , when a person is injured, whats this place, a third world country, oh sorry!

This should be coupled with a real threat of deregistration of any hospital that does not comply.

This should be coupled with a real threat of deregistration of any hospital that does not comply.

Yeah...okay...now you are being silly....

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

Another childish insult.

Do try and exercise some basic respect for the PM of Thailand. It may be hard for some foreigners with a superiority complex, but remember she is a PM and you are not. I take it that you became a guest in Thailand because you were so successful in your homeland, that you wanted to share it with the Thais?

This should be coupled with a real threat of deregistration of any hospital that does not comply.

That would upset some wealthy Bangkok families and foreign investors.

If your smart just stay off the roads during this time especially at night as even during normal times it is risky to driving in Thailand duirng Songkran that risk goes up 100%!

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

Another childish insult.

Do try and exercise some basic respect for the PM of Thailand. It may be hard for some foreigners with a superiority complex, but remember she is a PM and you are not. I take it that you became a guest in Thailand because you were so successful in your homeland, that you wanted to share it with the Thais?

Lighten up he is just being sarcastic. If you think that comment is so bad you should watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and see the jokes he makes about President Obama and the President even comes on his show at time as a guest, as even the President knows it is a good not to take oneself too serious.

Okay....

...read the headline...slowly...and let it sink in....slowly....and think about it.....

Is it just me, or...is that actually a no- brainer and a thing that should be done universally?

You are injured...you get to a hospital...you get help...

Nope, here it's case of you are injured ....you get to a hospital.....they check the vital signs of your wallet rather than your body and if not adequate turn you away! Probabaly charge you for bleeding on their floor while you wait as well.

all hospitals in the country to admit accident victims at any time during the Songkran period, whether or not they are entitled to health care benefits with the hospitals

.

Look forward to the responses from all the exclusive private hospitals regarding this edict.

.

I was at Bangkok Rayong Hospital not long ago and read this, and is posted everywhere. I do believe, at least if it is an emergency public or private, every hospital needs to administer care. As you can see this has been in the Thai Constitution for quite some time. Not really a command decision by Yingluck.

Declaration of PATIENT'S RIGHTS

1. Every patient has the basic rights to receive

health service as have been legally enacted in the Thai Constitution BE 2540.

2. The patient is entitled to receive full medical

services regardless of their status, race, nationality, religion, social standing,

political affiliation sex, age, and the nature of their illness from their medical

practitioner.

3. Patients who seek medical services have the rights

to receive their complete current information in order to thoroughly understand

about their illness from their medical practitioner. Furthermore, the patient

can either voluntarily consent or refuse treatment from the medical practitioner

treating him/her except in case of emergency or life threatening situation.

4. Patients at risk, in critical condition or near

death, is entitled to receive urgent and immediate relief from their medical

practitioner as necessary, regardless of whether the patient requests assistance

or not.

For the full version http://www.medicine.cmu.ac.th/research/ethics/patient_right_eng.htm

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

Another childish insult.

Do try and exercise some basic respect for the PM of Thailand. It may be hard for some foreigners with a superiority complex, but remember she is a PM and you are not. I take it that you became a guest in Thailand because you were so successful in your homeland, that you wanted to share it with the Thais?

Lighten up he is just being sarcastic. If you think that comment is so bad you should watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and see the jokes he makes about President Obama and the President even comes on his show at time as a guest, as even the President knows it is a good not to take oneself too serious.

Most Asian politicians are generally thin skinned , They can't take criticism like those in the west, Thaksin was a very thin skinned , he shut down radio,TV stations ,newspapers, blocked out facebook etc, tried to shut up those which continued to criticize him, there's a theme here in my madness, that I am trying to convey, ever so gently.

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

Another childish insult.

Do try and exercise some basic respect for the PM of Thailand. It may be hard for some foreigners with a superiority complex, but remember she is a PM and you are not. I take it that you became a guest in Thailand because you were so successful in your homeland, that you wanted to share it with the Thais?

Lighten up he is just being sarcastic. If you think that comment is so bad you should watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and see the jokes he makes about President Obama and the President even comes on his show at time as a guest, as even the President knows it is a good not to take oneself too serious.

Most Asian politicians are generally thin skinned , They can't take criticism like those in the west, Thaksin was a very thin skinned , he shut down radio,TV stations ,newspapers, blocked out facebook etc, tried to shut up those which continued to criticize him, there's a theme here in my madness, that I am trying to convey, ever so gently.

my favourite was the red and yellow cards news conference. really childish.

What the Younglady says and what actually happens are two different things.

Are you saying hospitals won't accept Songkran victims? Or do you just have a problem with young ladies?

Glad the PM wants all hospitals to accept accident victims during the Songkran period, but what about after the Songkran period? Are we then back to the normal where accident victims might get turned away from some hospitals?

didn't some gov. official say there would be no accidents this silly season?

"Hospitals must accept all accident victims during Songkran period" After the Songkran holiday, it will be business as usual, and we will let them die and suffer on our doorstep before we let them take up bed space and emergency treatment.

didn't some gov. official say there would be no accidents this silly season?

yes but he's changed his mind since then.........15 times

didn't some gov. official say there would be no accidents this silly season?

Someone must have put Chalerm on the case.

Once he wraps up getting rid of all the drugs in Thailand, then solving the crisis in the south, he has just enough time to implement a zero death policy for 2013 Songkran.

Heavens above - the Prime Minister issuing a directive? Must be taking a break from shopping.

Another childish insult.

Do try and exercise some basic respect for the PM of Thailand. It may be hard for some foreigners with a superiority complex, but remember she is a PM and you are not. I take it that you became a guest in Thailand because you were so successful in your homeland, that you wanted to share it with the Thais?

Do you really respect a Prime Minister more than you respect other people?

all hospitals in the country to admit accident victims at any time during the Songkran period, whether or not they are entitled to health care benefits with the hospitals

.

Look forward to the responses from all the exclusive private hospitals regarding this edict.

.

I was at Bangkok Rayong Hospital not long ago and read this, and is posted everywhere. I do believe, at least if it is an emergency public or private, every hospital needs to administer care. As you can see this has been in the Thai Constitution for quite some time. Not really a command decision by Yingluck.

Declaration of PATIENT'S RIGHTS

1. Every patient has the basic rights to receive

health service as have been legally enacted in the Thai Constitution BE 2540.

2. The patient is entitled to receive full medical

services regardless of their status, race, nationality, religion, social standing,

political affiliation sex, age, and the nature of their illness from their medical

practitioner.

3. Patients who seek medical services have the rights

to receive their complete current information in order to thoroughly understand

about their illness from their medical practitioner. Furthermore, the patient

can either voluntarily consent or refuse treatment from the medical practitioner

treating him/her except in case of emergency or life threatening situation.

4. Patients at risk, in critical condition or near

death, is entitled to receive urgent and immediate relief from their medical

practitioner as necessary, regardless of whether the patient requests assistance

or not.

For the full version http://www.medicine.cmu.ac.th/research/ethics/patient_right_eng.htm

After I read the the constitution, I did not find explanation about the hospital making the patient sign a contract upon refusing drugs or treatment.

Once I went to Bumrungrad to get injection from a dog bite. I expected the injection to be no more than 1000-2000 baht, but the doctor pushed me to take two injections, one costing 2,000 baht and another 10,000 baht!

so i rejected the expensive shot, and only took the cheaper one.

They made me sign a contract saying they had no responsibility over whatever happens to me as a cause of not taking their "recommended" medicine.

If you can actually get to a hospital through the traffic. What with Water trucks shooting 3 inch streams of water, pick-up trucks throwing water from trash cans in the back. And all the other things people can think up on the day. I'M STAYIN' HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you all have fun and don't get hurt or worse.