The Ministry of Public Health has initiated a series of hospital inspections and dispatched medical assistance to Myanmar in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake.
During a key executive meeting on Wednesday, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin praised ministry officials for their rapid response in caring for patients following the earthquake on Friday. He emphasized the critical importance of quick action in such situations.
The meeting revealed that 480 hospitals across the region were impacted by the earthquake, with most of them having resumed full operations. However, five hospitals—Rajavithi, Phrae, Wisetchaichan, Samut Sakhon, and Phra Yuen—are still in the process of reopening their facilities. A multi-agency committee has been established to conduct comprehensive safety inspections and ensure that hospitals are safe for patients and staff alike.
The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the construction of a nine-storey building at Songkhla Hospital by a Chinese contractor. Investigations confirmed that there were no irregularities in either the materials used or the construction procedures followed.
In response to the earthquake’s severe impact on Myanmar, the Ministry of Public Health has also planned to send emergency medical teams. Two teams, each consisting of 80 disaster relief technicians approved by the World Health Organization, will be deployed to assist for a period of four to six weeks. These teams will be led by Wichai Chaimongkol, an adviser to the Public Health Minister.
Additionally, Minister Somsak outlined plans to review the ministry’s bidding process for construction projects, particularly to prioritize safety in hospital buildings. He cautioned that low-cost projects might compromise building quality due to the use of substandard materials. He also highlighted the importance of thoroughly reviewing government regulations before considering the blacklisting of contractors.
Finally, the Minister reaffirmed that no issues were found in the construction of the Songkhla Hospital’s nine-storey building, which was completed by the ITD-CREC No 10 joint venture. The same joint venture is also overseeing several other high-profile projects, including the State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, which collapsed as a result of the earthquake on Friday.
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