Officials prepare for 2 more months of floods
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Public health officials have been ordered to increase the number of patient beds and stretchers to help flood victims after predictions the flood crisis will continue for two months.
The ministry is now monitoring the spread of flood-related diseases and mental health problems of people affected by the floods.
“We have to stop people from committing suicide,” Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said during a visit to Lop Buri province.
Experts predict the central region faces flood risks for the next two months. About 300 hospitals in the region have been submerged by severe floods.
Some 2,000 rescue vests and 100 small flat boats were sent to help officials provide medical treatment to flood-affected people in remote areas. The ministry also sent purifiers to produce drinking water.
Meanwhile, health volunteers in flooded areas have been instructed to help victims and provide basic medical care, especially to the elderly and disabled. Thousands of first aid kits will be distributed in flood areas.
At present, two hospitals in Ayutthaya province – Ban Praek and Maharaj – are submerged.
Deputy health minister Torphong Chaiyasarn said over 400,000 people are suffering from flood- related diseases, most from athlete’s foot and flu.
More than 1,500 people were under heavy emotional pressure, 3,239 were suffering from depression and 389 are at risk of suicide, Witthaya said.
He said he has asked health officials to distribute over a million sets of drug kits to flood victims.
