Health officials put on standby

Mobile medical units and emergency medical officials were prepared to provide treatment to people who suffer injuries when Haitang passed through the North, East and South of Thailand yesterday and today.
Witthaya said people could call the 1669 24-hour hotline for help.
So far, 166 people have been killed by flooding nationwide, most of them drowned. Nearly 400,000 people are suffering from flood-related diseases, 75,626 of them in Nonthaburi, followed by 72,762 in Phichit, 54,929 cases in Phitsanulok, 30,490 in Nakhon Sawan and 22,039 in Angthong. Most are suffering from insect bites or athlete’s foot.
The Mental Health Department also reported that about 3,000 people were severely depressed, 384 suicidal and 1,475 under stress.
“All public health officials in affected provinces should set up warning signs in risky areas,” he said.
Witthaya added that the main hospital in Ayutthaya’s Ban Phraek district was under 60 centimetres of water and patients were being moved out in military trucks. However, the hospital is still providing around-the-clock emergency services.
Emergency medical services are also being provided at the Ban Phraek district office.
The minister has also ordered three hospitals near the Lop Buri River to prepare for floods.