BANGKOK, 2 October 2013 – The Ministry of Public Health is preparing an evacuation plan for critically-ill patients at hospitals in Prachinburi, in case the level of inundation continues to rise.
Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Narong Sahamethaphat on Tuesday held a video conference with provincial authorities in Prachinburi, after deeming that the flood situation in the province remained worrisome.
Notably, Chao Phraya Aphaiphubet Hospital is facing inundation between 25 and 50 centimeters high, and patients will need to be evacuated if the water reaches 60 centimeters. Hospital executives have been asked to provide hourly evaluations of the flood situation, and Army transport trucks have been requested for use in moving the patients to nearby hospitals, if necessary.
On Tuesday there were 36,000 patients within flood-affected areas. According to the Ministry of Public Health, most were afflicted with athlete’s foot and muscle fatigue. 160 were found to be under stress, 24 of whom were highly stressed. Health officials have been dispatched to provide relief for the latter group, in order to prevent depression or deliberate self-harm.
