Bangkok: Crowds cheered on Dr. Suphat after he posted that he might be fired by the Ministry of Public Health over the ATK procurement. Residents flocked to support Dr. Suphat, director of Saba Yoi Hospital, after he posted on Facebook that he was being ordered to leave his post by the Ministry of Public Health over allegations of illegally purchasing ATK kits during the 2021 COVID-19 outbreak.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Suphat Hasuwankit, Director of Saba Yoi Hospital in Songkhla Province and President of the Rural Doctors Club, announced on Facebook that he faced dismissal from government service by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The allegations pertain to the illegal purchase of ATK test kits during the 2021 COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Suphat confirmed that the Permanent Secretary of MOPH intended to dismiss him before his retirement date of September 30, 2025. Over the past three years, he has been subjected to more than 10 disciplinary investigations by the MOPH, most resulting in warnings or reprimands. He was also transferred from Chana Hospital to Saba Yoi Hospital under questionable circumstances.
Dr. Suphat initiated an internal investigation into allegations of corruption, particularly regarding the purchase of ATK kits for the “Rural Doctors in Bangkok” project from July to August 2021. During that period, he led COVID-19 testing efforts in Bangkok and other hospitals. With the help of volunteers, they conducted three rounds of ATK testing, covering 192,905 people, identifying 22,451 infected individuals who received immediate medical attention. Due to a shortage of ATKs at Chana Hospital, Dr. Suphat procured additional kits to ensure everyone awaiting testing could be accommodated. He maintained that his actions were in the public’s interest, despite accusations of procurement violations. Notably, other hospitals that made similar purchases were not investigated.
Today, civil society networks in several southern provinces organized events to support Dr. Suphat following the reports. Representatives from the community presented flowers of support, expressed their confidence in Dr. Suphat, and declared their readiness to join the fight for justice should he be ordered to leave the civil service.