Rayong residents seeking medical care due to effects from industrial pollution and poisoning increased 50 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, according to a provincial public health official.
Dr. Krit Pansuth told Deputy Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew during a visit to Rayong Hospital Jan. 25, that higher pollution concentrations have boosted by half the number of patients in Rayong hospitals.
Deputy Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew wraps up his visit by presenting gifts to hospitalized patients.
Krit blamed the increase on expansion at Hemraj Chonburi Industrial Estate in Pluak Daeng, which now boasts more than 60 factories. He said the area lacks a sufficient number of health-care centers.
Krit said 3,580 people currently are receiving out-patient care from public hospitals in Rayong. To handle the increase, plans are underway to expand Maptaput Hospital.
Cholnan said cooperation from all government levels is needed to resolve Rayong’s problem. He said people also need to be educated on preventative health measures they can take, from eating better to getting more exercise.
The minister wrapped up his visit by presenting gifts to hospitalized patients.
