Medical workers split on political crisis

[Lite Beer]

Medical workers split on political crisis
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Several groups of medical workers are planning to gather outside the Public Health Ministry tomorrow before they join the People's Democratic Reform Committee's "Bangkok shutdown" rally at the Ha Yaek Lat Prao intersection, one of seven main protest sites designated by the PDRC.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself the Public Health Society, yesterday vowed to resist the Pheu Thai administration, saying it no longer had the mandate of the people to run the country.

The group said it would only follow orders issued by the Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethaphat, who could face disciplinary action for his statement encouraging the society's members not to work for the government.

"We are an independent group that is not part of the PDRC," said Prachumporn Boonchareon, a member of the society. "We oppose the government administration, but it doesn't mean that we will follow the PDRC's orders," she added.

Dr Uthomphon Kamphu na Ayuthaya said society would not support the PDRC's plans to cut power and water supplies, and to block the Public Health Ministry, saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public.

Despite its opposition to the government, the Public Health Society said its members would continue to work with the administration and follow its policy, which provided essential medical services to members of the public. "If the government orders us to support the election on February 2, of course, we won't do that, but if it instructs us to set up medical teams to provide people with emergency medical services, then we will follow its instructions," said Dr Buaret Sriprathak, another member of the society.

The society will visit the Public Health Ministry today and throw its support behind the ministry's permanent secretary Narong Sahamethaphat, who denounced the Yingluck administration's right to govern on Thursday, adding he had refused to work with the government.

Caretaker Public Health Minister Pradith Sinthawanarong said he would set up a committee to investigate the facts behind Narong's political stance, but said the permanent secretary would not be punished for his actions. Pradith said all officials also had the right to express their political opinions and were free to take leave and join the protest.

Meanwhile, another group of medical workers calling themselves "Friends of Democracy issued a statement on Friday supporting the February 2 election, saying that it was the best way for stakeholders to lawfully settle their differences.

They also asked all medical workers to take a neutral stance on issues of politics and to continue to provide medical services without discrimination.

-- The Nation 2014-01-12

[Somtamnication]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

[noitom]

They can't or shouldn't pick and choose what instructions they follow. Shameful.

[bunny11kk]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

There are too many blind eyes in this country. Open up and look at how this government has done to our country for the last few years!

Edited January 12, 2014 by bunny11kk

[pisico]

Medical workers split on their protest?

Don't they know that others have taken better ways to neutralise the government using better means?

These are the people that are planing to rid the country of corruption? Yet....

Never mind... Same same but not any different!

Follow this link

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9EZ3lPVGd5TVE9PQ==&catid=04

[spare5]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

Wong. As a human, they have rights too.

[moonao]

I would sack them immediately.

[pisico]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

Wong. As a human, they have rights too.

Lame sophistry.

[marcusd]

I think you all need to read this again. They STATE CLEARLY they will supply medical services but they do not support the Government or PRDC.

I stated this yesterday in another post that Medical Professionals are tired of what is happening in the system and this only supports what i stated.

the Medicos are sick of how things are and clearly from both sides

[pisico]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

Thai Medical workers are first Thais... after that it comes the shirt color, then, maybe, their duty to others, etc. It is what they call Thainess: that general blanket of selfishness that keeps Thailand in the limbo of countries on their long, long way to be a developed country.

Thais feel they have that right and many more rights but... how about the consequences?

Well, we all know how Thai justice works (when it does) (firmly pushing tongue against my cheek) Thais can do no wrong. Thai Democrats can do as they please .

Any way, why worry about this when a group of the protestors set up a shrine and have their warlock trying to remove a hex put on the Government House by the Reds in 2010? A quintessential expression of Thainess.

[Scamper]

Interesting that the Yingluck administration is backtracking within the space of a single day regarding their intention to punish Mr. Narong. When a political system undergoes as massive a change as seems to be in the offing, there will be undeniably disruptions. Two things are clear at this juncture. Those in the health industry will decide for themselves what they wish to do. Those who wish to join the movement on the streets will do so. Those who support the administration will refrain from doing so. And those who do not support the administration but wish to continue working will do so. It's called a free society, which

apparently sounds very alarming to some people.

[robblok]

I would sack them immediately.

Yes but your a die hard red supporter watching support for them slowly crumble.

I would sack them too if they refused to treat injured people.. not for telling the government they don't support them.

Refusing to treat people.. or blocking hospitals.. that would be a reason for sacking.. but I don't see them doing that.

[Ricardo]

I would sack them immediately.

So you disagree with the caretaker-minister for Public Health, when he says (in the OP) "all officials also had the right to express their political opinions and were free to take leave and join the protest." ?

[Thai at Heart]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

Wong. As a human, they have rights too.

Well they make a promise as care workers that subjugate some of their rights as individuals to express their opinions and limit their choices.

They should not take sides and they should serve their patients. They are doctors first. End of story.

[Thai at Heart]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

Thai Medical workers are first Thais... after that it comes the shirt color, then, maybe, their duty to others, etc. It is what they call Thainess: that general blanket of selfishness that keeps Thailand in the limbo of countries on their long, long way to be a developed country.

Thais feel they have that right and many more rights but... how about the consequences?

Well, we all know how Thai justice works (when it does) (firmly pushing tongue against my cheek) Thais can do no wrong. Thai Democrats can do as they please .

Any way, why worry about this when a group of the protestors set up a shrine and have their warlock trying to remove a hex put on the Government House by the Reds in 2010? A quintessential expression of Thainess.

Exactly.

They are medical professionals who don't understand their duty.

It's all nice to say they can take leave to join the protest. That's because the labour law stipulates they can. Of course this takes no account of their moral obligation as doctors to perform their DUTY.

If I was the boss I would remind them that whilst I can't stop them taking leave I would remind them of their duties as medical staff.

If one of them gets injured during his day off I wonder if they would be worried too be treated by a red supporting doctor. What a society.

[George Bowman]

Perhaps a few posters misread the reports. NO, they are not going to deny care to anyone. They are merely stating they have different views.

What is sad is the following. Half of Thailand's medical staff is either on one side or the other. I think this demonstrates how deeply divided this county is...

[Costas2008]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

"saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public."

Where, on earth, did you read that medical workers would not treat everybody the same?

So they have no right to do what?

They can always express their political views as anybody else does without that interfering with the good job and assistance they provide.

Please, cut the cheap and unfounded remarks.

[citizen33]

My impression is that the stance of the anti-government public health officials reflects their class position and existing political preferences, rather than any huge discontent with recent health policy. Some do not like components of performance-related pay introduced for front-line health workers, some may disagree with a recent move to give more power to the regional as opposed to the local level, and of course many think the healthcare system is under-resourced. And then there is a conservative element who oppose redistributive policies and would like to see universal coverage scaled back, I notice at least one westerner who has benefited, perhaps more by accident than design, from the recent extension of healthcare coverage to foreign workers (see health forum) now criticizing the government. This is the kind of thing that will almost certainly go under a more cost-conscious administration.

Edited January 12, 2014 by citizen33

[Thai at Heart]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

"saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public."

Where, on earth, did you read that medical workers would not treat everybody the same?

So they have no right to do what?

They can always express their political views as anybody else does without that interfering with the good job and assistance they provide.

Please, cut the cheap and unfounded remarks.

So you agree that a huge percentage of medical staff should all take leave at once to attend a political rally.

I hope the heart specialist doesn't go and you have a heart attack and up being dealt with by a trainee who thinks you have acid reflux. Now wouldn't that be a shame.

Maybe the fire department should let 50% of the men attend. Wouldn't it be a shame if your house burnt down.

Medical staff should do their shifts as normal. Just because labour law states you can go on the lam with no certificate, does not supersede their duty.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[khunken]

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

"saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public."

Where, on earth, did you read that medical workers would not treat everybody the same?

So they have no right to do what?

They can always express their political views as anybody else does without that interfering with the good job and assistance they provide.

Please, cut the cheap and unfounded remarks.

So you agree that a huge percentage of medical staff should all take leave at once to attend a political rally.

I hope the heart specialist doesn't go and you have a heart attack and up being dealt with by a trainee who thinks you have acid reflux. Now wouldn't that be a shame.

Maybe the fire department should let 50% of the men attend. Wouldn't it be a shame if your house burnt down.

Medical staff should do their shifts as normal. Just because labour law states you can go on the lam with no certificate, does not supersede their duty.

Neither the Op nor any posters have said that 'a huge percentage of medical staff should take leave all at once to attend a political rally'. That's a straw man argument.

The rest of your post just depends on the straw man crap so it is just baloney.

Dr Narong was making his stance because the health minister wanted him to send out an instruction to all hospitals NOT to provide ambulances for the protestors. This is an outrageously biased and callous attempt to deny basic services to injured Thais which any right-minded person should condemn. (from an article in yesterday's Bangkok Post).

There is nothing illegal or shameful in medical workers joining a protest in their time off.

Edited January 12, 2014 by khunken

[Costas2008]

professional

Thai at Heart, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:30, said:Thai at Heart, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:30, said:

Costas2008, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:24, said:Costas2008, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:24, said:

Somtamnication, on 12 Jan 2014 - 07:18, said:Somtamnication, on 12 Jan 2014 - 07:18, said:

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

"saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public."

Where, on earth, did you read that medical workers would not treat everybody the same?
So they have no right to do what?
They can always express their political views as anybody else does without that interfering with the good job and assistance they provide.
Please, cut the cheap and unfounded remarks.

So you agree that a huge percentage of medical staff should all take leave at once to attend a political rally.

I hope the heart specialist doesn't go and you have a heart attack and up being dealt with by a trainee who thinks you have acid reflux. Now wouldn't that be a shame.

Maybe the fire department should let 50% of the men attend. Wouldn't it be a shame if your house burnt down.


Medical staff should do their shifts as normal. Just because labour law states you can go on the lam with no certificate, does not supersede their duty.

Your remarks are totally unfounded. You are accusing the medical staff of neglecting their duties.

That never happened before and will never happen in the future.

It's very easy to comment on subjects you are not familiar of......I don't want to say ignorant.

Medical staff in Thailand are well trained and are very professional.

Please respect them, as you are going to need them one day.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Costas2008

[Thai at Heart]

professional

Thai at Heart, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:30, said:Thai at Heart, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:30, said:

Costas2008, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:24, said:Costas2008, on 12 Jan 2014 - 15:24, said:

Somtamnication, on 12 Jan 2014 - 07:18, said:Somtamnication, on 12 Jan 2014 - 07:18, said:

They have no right to do that. As medical workers, they should have a blind eye to whom they treat.

"saying the group would instead continue to work and provide medical services to members of the public."

Where, on earth, did you read that medical workers would not treat everybody the same?

So they have no right to do what?

They can always express their political views as anybody else does without that interfering with the good job and assistance they provide.

Please, cut the cheap and unfounded remarks.

So you agree that a huge percentage of medical staff should all take leave at once to attend a political rally.

I hope the heart specialist doesn't go and you have a heart attack and up being dealt with by a trainee who thinks you have acid reflux. Now wouldn't that be a shame.

Maybe the fire department should let 50% of the men attend. Wouldn't it be a shame if your house burnt down.

Medical staff should do their shifts as normal. Just because labour law states you can go on the lam with no certificate, does not supersede their duty.

Your remarks are totally unfounded. You are accusing the medical staff of neglecting their duties.

That never happened before and will never happen in the future.

It's very easy to comment on subjects you are not familiar of......I don't want to say ignorant.

Medical staff in Thailand are well trained and are very professional.

Please respect them, as you are going to need them one day.

Oh deary me...do you remember when a stupid hospital administrator said that a certain hospital wouldn't take red shirt casualties during the protests?

The ministry should shut up about ordering the hospitals to do or not do anything. The doctors should say that it will be business as usual. That's it, end of story.

If they want to protest in the free time, so be it. The line about free to take leave to protest is ridiculous. I hope they all.pitch to work as.normal.

Here's hoping.