Funeral attendees urged to look after their health

DOCTORS HAVE advised people wishing to bid the late King Rama IX farewell at the cremation field in Sanam Luang that they should prepare themselves both mentally and physically to maintain their well-being amid the mass of mourners.
Those attending the Royal Cremation should ensure they are ready to be among a huge number of people in a sorrowful atmosphere, the doctors said. If they felt they were not prepared for this, they could consider attending a smaller ceremony held in their local area. This was a valid way to bid farewell and pay respect to the late King.
Dr Boonruang Triruangworawat, director of the Department of Mental Health, said that before coming to the Royal Cremation grounds, participants should ensure they have eaten and have had sufficient sleep. 
They should refrain from drinking alcohol or using drugs, as these could make them less able to control their emotions, he said. 
Those who have congenital or chronic diseases should bring medications or should contact the medical centres around the royal cremation ground if need be, Boonruang stressed. He added that many people who had received aid from the medical centres around Sanam Luang during the mourning period had not taken their pills despite their ailment.
The doctors advised against travelling alone. Participants should also ensure they have contact information for relatives or friends travelling with them in case they accidentally got separated.
Another doctor, Ittaporn Kanacharoen, who will be in charge of a medical centre added that people should prepare for the weather. From forecasts, it could be rainy, hot or both during the ceremonies. Participants should be very prepared to avoid falling sick, he said. 
The centre under Ittaporn’s supervision is one of four that have equipment ready to provide advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). It has four beds for critical patients and 21 beds for other patients.
Ittsporn said it could serve up to 400 patients in a day.
More than 12,000 people received minor first aid around the Royal Cremation grounds yesterday during the rehearsal held from 5am to about 2pm. Mostly, they asked for ammonia to abate dizziness amid the high temperature, according to Porntep Saeheng, a doctor overseeing the provision of medical services in the area.
Some 200 people were admitted to the medical centre to receive treatment, he added. Some of them had fainted because of the hot weather, while others suffered from stomach aches and other minor ailments.
Around 20 people had to be sent to hospital, Porntep said. About 800 medical practitioners, including doctors and nurses, were on duty yesterday, he added.
Despite the large crowds expected for the Royal Cremation, Pornthep expressed confidence that the medical centres would be ready to provide service to the people.
“We’ve prepared [for the Royal Cremation day]. Especially, around the prime area, all sectors have been distributed the resources they need to get ready for any circumstances,” he said.