Govt to send team of 30 medics to help disaster-hit Nepalese
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THAILAND will today dispatch a 30-member medical team to Nepal to provide humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that killed over 2,000 people and left more than 4,000 injured, as of yesterday.
In response to Nepal’s unfortunate event, marked by a 7.8-magnitude quake on Saturday and subsequent aftershocks, Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha ordered the Public Health Ministry and Royal Thai Army to undertake initial acts of assistance.
Yesterday, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said state medical personnel – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists and disease control experts – would be in the first team, due to leave for Nepal today.
Rajata said the team will arrive in the disaster-affected area with medicine plus disinfectants, bandage kits and tetanus vaccines, as many have injury wounds.
“We’ve set up a co-ordination centre at the Permanent Secretary’s Office to facilitate work among different departments. We’re also working closely with the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he said.
Assistant police chief Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said the Royal Thai Police Headquarters has been preparing a special team of doctors, nurses, rescue personnel, as well as forensic experts to provide aid to Nepal.
Air Force spokesman Air Vice Marshal Monthon Satchukorn said the Royal Thai Airforce is prepared to support the Thai medical and other teams leaving for Nepal, but was awaiting instructions from the government. “The aircraft, as well as crew members are ready,” Monthon said.
Foreign Affairs Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn said Prime Minister Prayut had already sent a note of condolence to the prime minister of Nepal over the quake, which was the worst in 81 years. In addition, Thais have been urged to donate money, food and other necessity items to Nepal as a gesture of goodwill.
Deputy government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said people can help Nepal by donating necessities for quake victims via the Interior Ministry’s Damrongtham Centre, which has branches countrywide.
