Massive run-off forces Nonthaburi hospital to close
A private hospital in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district had to be closed yesterday because the sandbag barrier protecting it had been breached by a massive run-off from Pathum Thani province.
Chollada Hospital was forced to evacuate patients after the water levels rose to a metre and half when the sandbag barrier built at La Harn Temple fell apart. The hospital was submerged in 30-centimetres of water, which also short-circuited the power outlets bringing down the computer system and electrical equipment.
Meanwhile, the Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya hospital has resumed operation now that the floods are starting to recede, initially opening its outpatient and emergency units.
“The hospital has already opened some medical units to provide treatment,” Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said after receiving a report from the hospital’s director.
He added that the Sawan Pracharak Hospital in Nakhon Sawan province, which is still under 20cm of water, should reopen by Friday. Witthaya has instructed the staff to start cleaning up and hopes the outpatient and emergency units will be ready soon.
Since the Sawan Pracharak Hospital was flooded in, members of the staff have been treating between 500 and 600 patients at its makeshift medical unit at Phitsanulok intersection.
Meanwhile, Witthaya has instructed health officials in the severely flooded Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi provinces to give priority to patients with chronic disease, pregnant women as well as the disabled and elderly.
Permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said the ministry had reserved a total of 1,500 beds in 10 provincial hospitals, including state-owned institutions in Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Chon Buri.
