Flooding in five southern provinces affects 10 Thai hospitals

BANGKOK: The Public Health Ministry is closely monitoring the flood situation in the southern region, noting that it has now improved across all five affected provinces - Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun.

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said on Tuesday (Dec 26) that reports from the emergency public health department indicate a situation involving natural disasters, floods, and landslides in the southern area during Dec 22-26. The situation remains a concern in all five provinces, affecting a total of 18,402 households.

Initial reports include one fatality due to drowning in Yala, one injury, and 12 affected healthcare facilities: Two hospitals, one district public health office, and nine sub-district health promotion hospitals spread across Narathiwat and Yala provinces, with six in each.

Out of these, 10 facilities remain closed. Central services have extended medical aid to eight affected cases, totalling 4,200 kits. The Public Health Ministry has urged constant monitoring for potential overflow and flooding on Dec 28-29.

The ministry has established emergency medical and public health operation centres in Yala and Narathiwat.

“We are fully prepared to provide assistance and care to the affected people, particularly chronic patients and bedridden individuals, ensuring continuous medical attention. We are also vigilant about diseases and health hazards associated with flooding,” Dr Chonnan said.

The minister further stated that preemptive measures involve instructing provincial health officers and facility managers to prepare medication and medical supplies, set up medical response teams, and devise comprehensive contingency plans both before and during such calamities.

Post-disaster rapid assessments will evaluate damage to healthcare facilities, especially those closed or partially operational.

Vigilance for diseases resulting from stagnant floodwaters, such as diarrhoea, leptospirosis, athlete's foot, fungal skin infections, and monitoring the mental health recovery of affected individuals, including severe stress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, will be prioritised. - The Nation/ANN