Rescue foundations introspect after mysterious death of woman

[Lite Beer]

SPECIAL REPORT
Rescue foundations introspect after mysterious death of woman
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Ruamkatanyu Foundation has imposed stricter screening of part-time volunteers after the mysterious death of a woman on a medical rescue that it supervised recently.

It wants people with qualifications similar to its permanent staff, along with other improvements to prevent such a scandal occurring again.

The foundation's deputy public relations chief, Anyawut Phothi-amphai, said it was vital to regain the foundation's long-standing good image, as well as that of more than 100,000 staff with various other charities, through better performance and stricter protocols.

On January 13, a 28-year-old officer worker fell unconscious while having dinner on Ramkhamhaeng Road. Chan (not her real name) was picked up by a Ruamkatanyu dispatch, but driver Thawatchai sae-Sim did not take her to a nearby hospital as instructed. She was found several hours later, drowned, by a canal off Bang Na-Trat Road near the 18km marker.

Anyawut cited a police inquiry report, which said Thawatchai drove to the hospital, but headed off after finding Chan attractive. The part-time volunteer later confessed to caressing the victim when she remained unconscious, but denied raping her. He claimed that Chan regained consciousness, then fought back and managed to get out of the vehicle.

Thawatchai, 32, a regular drug user, was found to be 'high' on two amphetamine tablets after a urine test. He has been charged with drug use, attempted rape, theft and unauthorised use of a radio. He may also be charged with rape, if post-mortem reports reveal that the victim was violated sexually.

The autopsy results are also expected to determine how Chan died, if it was an accidental drowning, as she suffered a chronic disease that led her to frequently pass out, and that may have affected her ability to swim after she went near the canal, or her death was a suicide. Reports from two people who picked her up from a bush said she had become extremely distressed.

Anyawut said Ruamkatanyu personnel on duty, whether part-time volunteers or permanent staff, had to always wear a uniform with the foundation badge, and travel in service vehicles, or vehicles with the group's logos. They operate in teams of two or multiple members, and can be identified via dispatch logs through the foundation's coordination centre.

But Thawatchai was alone and travelled in a non-service vehicle. He was dispatched by the foundation to pick up Chan, due to a shortage of staff, as many are stationed at political rally sites.

"It was supposed to be a routine pickup to the hospital, but it is beyond expectation that he would have brought disgrace upon the foundation and charity workers in general," Anyawut said.

Under Ruamkatanyu Foundation regulations, part-time volunteers - who number around 5,000 - are not authorised to fully handle medevac cases, or rescues and other emergency services like permanent qualified staff. Volunteers operate as assistants and are only allowed support roles, such as directing traffic during emergencies, he said.

Poh Teck Tung Foundation, an equally well-known charity, said the incident had damaged public trust in charity foundations and their services. A spokesman said relatives of patients should travel in the emergency vehicle in such a case to make sure patients are admitted to the hospital.

Poh Teck Tung has 3,859 permanent staff, plus around 4,000 part-time volunteers, who must all have no criminal record, or history of drug use, head of staff Theerawuth Khamphimabutr said. Permanent staff must regularly undergo advanced training and have a minimum of five years' experience.

Any staff, whether permanent or volunteers, would be prosecuted or put on a police watchlist if they were found to have committed or been indirectly involved in crimes. They also face random and surprise drug tests, conducted regularly to prevent drug use after they pass initial drug screening, Theerawuth said.

-- The Nation 2014-02-02

[onlycw]

Here on TV, there was a report by a medic who witnessed atrocious medical malpractice by ambulance staff.

Aligning broken legs so that they "look nice" etc. Very scary thought to have some Somchai mistreat the injured due to lack of training.

And the bed of a pick-up truck might not be ideal to transport sick people...

[tomyummer]

Why is the death 'mysterious'? The horny bastard had his way with her then she either killed herself or he drowned her! Stupid report.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Please tell me this guy will not get a 500B fine or bail.

If he gets bail, I hope he is discretly delivered to the family of the murdered lady so the family can get revenge in him.

[LivinLOS]

Here on TV, there was a report by a medic who witnessed atrocious medical malpractice by ambulance staff.

Aligning broken legs so that they "look nice" etc. Very scary thought to have some Somchai mistreat the injured due to lack of training.

And the bed of a pick-up truck might not be ideal to transport sick people...

But due to finances, and infrastructure (brought on by lack of finances) your looking at self help, this, or nothing..

Its easy for us, who can afford a private hospital to dispatch a real ambulance, if we are close enough to one, to say these services should be better.. But this is what a developing country has to deal with, a low level of quality.

I ride fast bikes.. and I do so all over the country, and sometimes Laos and Cambo.. Multiple friends have had multiple remote location bone breaks, some compounded etc etc.. The ordeal of getting to medical care is part of the risk you need to be cognizant of. Its not over the time you phone emergency services, you have to stop rural villagers messing with potential injuries and sticking a menthol inhaler up your nose. That 'bed of a pickup' may be the only way your getting to a hospital before internal blood loss stops you being able to make decisions. Choices need to be made, sometimes while in pain and without many good options.

In Laos or Cambo you cant even relax when you get to a hospital, you need to start working out how to get from that hospital, to a decent place where the surgeons are more likely to put you back together right.

[frozenpuck]

Why is the death 'mysterious'? The horny bastard had his way with her then she either killed herself or he drowned her! Stupid report.

And there lies the mystery. Did he kill her? Or did she die fleeing? Or did she die by being in distress and killing herself? A mystery.

[MMarlow]

Why is the death 'mysterious'? The horny bastard had his way with her then she either killed herself or he drowned her! Stupid report.

A fine post and a profound observation.

[paulklee]

The autopsy results are also expected to determine how Chan died, if it was an accidental drowning, as she suffered a chronic disease that led her to frequently pass out, and that may have affected her ability to swim after she went near the canal, or her death was a suicide.

[geriatrickid]

Interestingly enough, the Health Society, which was recently in the news for its expression of political sentiments doesn't have much to say on the state of first responders in Thailand. They don't have much to say on paramedics, first aid training or even the needed upgrade of trauma centers in Thailand.

[belg]

no more serial rapists, murderers, drug addicts, robbers ? seriously ?

they dont call them BODYSNATCHERS for nothing...

anyway... everyday event : amulance, full sirene on... nobody gives way !!!! maybe except some farangs with a conscience or manners ?

Edited February 2, 2014 by belg

[Mudcrab]

The autopsy results are also expected to determine how Chan died, if it was an accidental drowning, as she suffered a chronic disease that led her to frequently pass out, and that may have affected her ability to swim after she went near the canal, or her death was a suicide.

or she was murdered by drowning.

[Thai at Heart]

Interestingly enough, the Health Society, which was recently in the news for its expression of political sentiments doesn't have much to say on the state of first responders in Thailand. They don't have much to say on paramedics, first aid training or even the needed upgrade of trauma centers in Thailand.

They are a little busy recently. Priorities.

[RubbaJohnny]

Tragic RIP

One small comment for those wealthy expats who rarely visit the sticks and have BUPA condos and unlimited resources in rural areas it may be the pick or nothing.

Having used both public and private hospitals in Thailand as an observer,resident and in and out patient I commend the health staff medical and auxiliary for their compassion, good intentions and general proficiency with regard to the finances ,training and equipment at their disosal.

I have visited hospitals in Arabia,Afghanistan,India and China and would sooner be in a Thai public hospital.

In a wonderful irony the only time in a year I was asked to pay only 10fun ( Chinese loose change) was in a lift at Changzhou Hospital ,I couldnt take up the offer of the operators chair as I had come with a busted foot! An amusing crollary it was refunded with all other costs,medicines,flight upgrade to firsst by my employer in probably the most honoured contract I've had.It was the hygiena nd spitting relatives that don't stop of the door of PRC facilities that was offputting.

With best screening in the world no charity nor private Hospital can prevent every abuse UK had killer Dr Shipman,of course none of this diminishes this families tragedy.

In less corrupt places it would act as a deterrent the knowledge that drug screening was certain like in modern cycling,sadly we all know that tea money could alter the result.

[Loles]

Thai news

before they have said the pick up was happened in Foodland super at Sinakarin road.

and now ???

[bangon04]

So if the accident doesn't kill you at the scene, there is a good chance that the trip to the hospital tossed in the back of a pickup truck will kill you. Wonder why no drivers in Bangkok think it is worthwhile moving over to let a rescue pickup truck squeeze past....

At least some of the hospitals here are actually quite good, as long as you reach them in time...

Edited February 2, 2014 by bangon04

[pogal]

As a 14 year veteran of Ruamkatanyu, I would like to respond to some of the questions and statements over this issue. This is my own statement and may or may not reflect that of the organization.

Ruamkatanyu (RKU) and Poh Tech Tung (PTT) volunteers all undergo 16 hours (2 days) (outsourced) First Response training. They are also registered with the police as volunteer rescue workers (which include background check and fingerprinting). Some go on to upgrade themselves to EMT's, nurses, etc.

The foundations also have their own ambulances (13 for RKU and more for PTT) These workers (not volunteers) are all Basic Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT- which is 120-140 hours training and certification. Some also go on to upgrade themselves to EMT-Intermediate, nurses, etc.

I wholeheartedly agree that the rescue service should be better, but that is a government issue, and you all know that the government has its own priorities. We do the best we can with what we have.

The volunteer in question was "unregistered", and Dispatch allowed him to do this "refer" which was against our protocol. The reason the girl was being referred was that her insurance would not cover her at this particular hospital.

In actual fact the hospital (either the sending or receiving) should have used their own ambulance but to save costs they often call rescue groups to do this job for free.

This case has shocked us all and there is no excuse for what happened but I feel it is wrong to condemn all 100,000 rescue workers for what has happened. In fact it was a management decision that allowed this to happen.

These types of rescue workers (who have been doing this for 100+ years) give their time, money, and sometimes lives to help others. I have lost several friends in the last 14 years who have been trying to save others lives. I feel it is wrong to blame us all because of one man, who was not even registered with us, rather, blame managements bad decision to allow a non-registered worker to do a job he was neither capable of, or legally allowed to do.

The registered rescue workers I work with are all salt of the earth characters; they do not drink or take drugs. They purchase their own vehicles, pay for their own petrol, equipment and more. Most spend 50+% of their meager Thai salaries to help others. They do not receive ANY money from the foundation or other source. Who do you know that gives half their salary away each month to help others?

They are kind and caring people, and they are quite professional in their work. A recent visiting NZ Paramedic said of a vehicle extrication by volunteers that is was one of the fastest and most professional she had seen.

Also some of your information may come from 20+ years ago when the volunteers were ALL unregistered and untrained but nowadays no one is “tossed” in the back of pick-ups.

The basic idea for this service is to get the patient to hospital as quickly as possible since advanced medical care can only be sought there. If you want to wait for an ambulance from a high end hospital, you will most likely wait a very long time. Having any kind of insurance will not guarantee you a ride in a western style ambulance. I would honestly rather take my chances with these rescue guys who do this several times a day for 20+ years. As many of you often like to point out, this is still third world territory and is half the reason why most of you live here. We sometimes have to accept that we will not get Western standard treatment.

It's also kind of ironic that we are labelled "Body Snatchers" since we are not allowed to handle bodies. Only police registered and paid individuals are allowed to even touch a body (Yellow jumpsuits and white pickups with the special RKU logo and call sign).. On occasion volunteers may be asked to assist these workers. Once again, no money is exchanged for this service.

Please do not condemn 100% of rescue workers because of one drug afflicted unregistered individual. It would be like saying all farang in Thailand are pedophiles because one farang was convicted of it, and there are a lot more rescue workers than farang in Thailand and a lot more convicted farang pedophiles.

Nevertheless, we do feel shame and sorrow for what happened, since that individual was technically part of our group.
It is something 100 years of service by millions of rescue workers cannot erase.

RIP “Chan”…

Edited February 3, 2014 by pogal

[Jonmarleesco]

So suicide or accident? No reason that the driver would have killed her, then?

[Jonmarleesco]

So if the accident doesn't kill you at the scene, there is a good chance that the trip to the hospital tossed in the back of a pickup truck will kill you. Wonder why no drivers in Bangkok think it is worthwhile moving over to let a rescue pickup truck squeeze past....

At least some of the hospitals here are actually quite good, as long as you reach them in time...

They don't move over to let registered ambulances, with lights flashing and klaxon blaring, pass, a legal requirement in, for example, the UK.