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Published on January 23, 2008

Patients, meanwhile, stay at home and suffer, too frightened to venture out to the facilities for fear of being attacked.

Some brave medical staff will rush to their homes to treat the worst cases, but the operative word is "rush". The visits are hurried and the driving fast.

And neither patient nor medical staffer puts much confidence in the security forces to protect them.

This is the legacy of years of violent attacks on medical staff in the three southernmost provinces that have left deep scars and a growing concern for the welfare of the people.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Thai Nurses Club in Bangkok, Pilaiporn Kaewkiew, a nurse at Yarang Hospital in Pattani province, says she uses chains to lock all of the hospital's windows and doors to stop insurgents from getting inside.

"We never know who the insurgents or the ordinary people really are. We are afraid but we have to work and treat people whoever they are," she said.

When Pilaiporn leaves her home in her car to visit patients she drives guardedly and is constantly alert for insurgent attacks.

A Mai Khaen Hospital nurse, Rosenanee Waehama, says many patients no longer go to the hospital for a check-up or to receive treatment because they are afraid of being attacked. Many health care workers have moved to other areas for their safety.

"People do not care about their health now. They just think about how they can survive the violence in their local areas," Rosenanee said.

Ahama Jaezo, a health care worker in Narathiwat province says more than 12 health care units have been burned down by insurgents. Some have closed completely, while others have moved to stay well clear of the danger areas.

"To avoid any violence, we now visit the patients at home and leave very quickly," Ahama said.

Ahama expresses concern about the soldiers who provided security for the health workers. He wants the military to stay clear of medical staff because local residents do not trust them, making it difficult to provide treatment.

"It is good that the soldiers are trying to protect us, but it would be better if they stayed clear of us," he said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation