Bangkok: The Ministry of Public Health has taken decisive action by deploying a comprehensive team to care for the health needs of individuals residing near the Thai-Cambodian border amidst ongoing conflicts. The initiative includes the provision of medical assistance and volunteer support at the frontlines to address the pressing health concerns in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the government, based on reports from the Ministry of Public Health, is committed to maintaining the delivery of healthcare services to those affected. As of Friday, August 1, 2015, a total of 676 evacuation centers have been established across five provinces, providing refuge to over 395,000 individuals, with 167,121 still residing in these centers. Special attention is being given to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, young children, bedridden patients, and individuals with disabilities.
The Ministry has mobilized 1,161 medical and emergency response teams and maintains a reserve medical volunteer team of nearly 2,000 personnel, encompassing doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, ready to extend their support. In a mission to enhance public welfare, psychological counseling has been offered to over 55,000 people, identifying 2,151 individuals as highly stressed and 267 individuals at risk for suicide, all of whom have received necessary interventions.
The conflict has resulted in 17 fatalities, with 14 deaths directly linked to the situation and three indirectly. Additionally, 38 injuries have been reported, categorized into 12 serious injuries, 13 moderate injuries, and 13 minor injuries. Health services in the area have also been impacted, with 154 hospitals and health centers affected, leading to 17 hospitals and 137 health centers reducing or temporarily suspending services. The government has implemented support systems to ensure the continued availability of healthcare services.
Ms. Sasikarn expressed gratitude towards the collaborative efforts of government agencies and the private sector in caring for those in the border regions. She reiterated the government's commitment to continuing public health missions aimed at safeguarding the lives and dignity of Thai citizens.