BANGKOK, 31 March 2011 – The Ministry of Public Health has dispatched a caravan carrying consumer supplies and 30,000 sets of medical kits in an urgent effort to aid flood victims in the southern region.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit stated that the public health caravan is bringing the necessities to eight southern provinces currently suffering from serious flooding. The provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Trang, Chumphon, Phang Nga, Songkhla and Krabi.
Mr Jurin also reported that 7,237 flood victims have so far received medical treatment from the mobile unit. Most of them came with flu, tinea pedis and small fresh wounds.
The minister reported further that the death toll from the disaster currently stands at 20 while 44 villagers have reportedly been injured from the recent landslides in Krabi. A group of eight medical staff members from Vachira Phuket Hospital has been sent to take care of the patients.
According to Mr Jurin, 77 hospitals have been devastated by the severe flooding thus far. Out of that number, three are seriously hit with high flood water that nearly submerges their one-floor buildings. Those hospital are Po Daeng Hospital in Chumphon, Sai Thong and Song Phraek Hospitals in Surat Thani.
