Ministry of Public Health reveals flooding and landslides in “Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai”, 16 dead, 136 injured, still monitoring 2 additional districts “Chom Thong-Ho”, while in Nong Khai, water levels are rising, Nong Khai Hospital-Sri Chiang Mai Hospital adjust services to only emergency patients for safety.
Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed the flood and mudslide situation in the area of ??Health Zone 1 between 8-13 September that there were situations in 2 provinces: 1. Chiang Mai, namely Mae Ai District and Fang District. The total number of affected households was 2,978, of which 109 were medical personnel. The total number of injured was 3 and the total number of dead was 6. One sub-district hospital was affected, namely Ban Tha Ma Kaeng Sub-district Hospital, which is still closed. Seven shelters were opened (6 in Mae Ai and 1 in Fang).
2. Chiang Rai: Mae Sai District, Mae Chan District, Mae Fah Luang District, and Mueang District. 24,925 households
were affected, 308 of whom were medical personnel. 133 were injured and 10 died. Five sub-district hospitals were affected: Mae Sai Sub-district Hospital, Pong Pha Sub-district Hospital, Samakkhi Mai Sub-district Hospital, Payang Sub-district Hospital, and Rob Wiang Sub-district Hospital. However, they were still able to provide services as usual. There were 22 shelters opened (12 in Mueang, 7 in Mae Sai, 1 in Mae Chan, Wiang Chai, and Mae Fah Luang, 1 in each district).
‘Overall, there were 16 deaths in both provinces, caused by landslides, falling into water, drowning, and being swept away by the current. There were 136 injuries, 6 public health facilities were affected, and 417 medical personnel were affected. Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs) have been opened in both provinces. The central government and provincial public health offices have provided medicines and medical supplies, such as leptospirosis test kits, boots, and mosquito repellent, totaling 9,000 sets,’ said Dr. Opas.
Dr.
Opas continued that for public health care, there are 167 emergency medical response teams (MERT), district emergency medical response teams (Mini MERT), mobile medical units, mental health teams (MCATT), environmental health teams (SEhRT), communicable disease control units (CDCU), rapid disease surveillance and investigation teams (SRRT), and rescue teams, totaling 52 teams, divided into Chiang Mai 52 teams and Chiang Rai 115 teams, providing home visits to 192 people, providing treatment to 1,662 people, providing health education to 2,443 people, mental health to 784 people, referring patients to 30 people, and providing environmental care kits to 168 people.
The most common diseases and health threats found are foot rot, followed by symptoms of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, viral infections, etc. No outbreaks of diseases related to flooding have been found. In Chiang Rai Province, the water situation has begun to recede. We have expedited implementation of the recovery plan after the w
ater recedes, taking care of environmental sanitation, and monitoring for epidemics.
According to the forecast of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) and the Meteorological Department, from 13-18 September 2024, there will be an increase in the amount of rain and heavy rain in some areas of Chom Thong District and Hot District, Chiang Mai Province, which are at risk of flash floods, mudslides, and flooding. The Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Doctor has been instructed to monitor the situation and communicate warnings to the public about both diseases that come with the floods and health hazards, especially Leptospirosis, as well as manage chronic disease patients to prevent them from running out of medication and take care of vulnerable groups. In Nong Khai Province, the water level is still rising. The latest report is that 2 service establishments have been affected: Nong Khai Hospital and Sri Chiang Mai Hospital. They have had to adjust their services to only emergency patients for the safe
ty of people traveling and to manage medical resources to support the situation appropriately.
Source: Thai News Agency