Thailand’s public health minister urged health centres in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River to prepare for potential floods following current flooding in several provinces upstream.
Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said three public health centres in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya provinces have been flooded, but remain open for service. In Ayutthaya, two hospitals in Bang Ban district have been intruded by water up to 80cm deep, while the Thai Traditional Medicine Center in Sukhothai is under a half metre of water.
The authorities in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River are urged to keep watch on the situation and provide mobile medical units to assist flood victims immediately.
The ministry of public health today sent 4,000 flood medical kits to Ayutthaya province, 2,000 to Sukhothai, and 1,000 to Chai Nat. The minister said another 300,000 kits are now in stock at the ministry for further allocation.
Flood-related relief supplies have been requested by affected provinces including Sukhothai, Phrae, and Uttaradit. More supplies will be sent to these provinces, he noted.
Mr Wittaya said more than 10 mobile medical units helped flood victims during Sunday and Monday in flooded areas in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chai Nat, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Lampang, Suphan Buri, Pichit, Uthai Thani, Phetchabun, Sa Kaeo, and Saraburi.
More than 800 patients were initially impacted by floods. Most suffered from cold, headache, muscular pain, or were injured by sharp objects in the water.
Toilets remain a critical problem, as up to 90 per cent are located on the ground floor where floods invade.
Public Health Minister warned the public of flood-related digestive system diseases such as diarrhea, and asked them to apply sanitary measures by disposing faeces in black bags, covered with lime or disinfectants.
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Story: MCOT
