Buildings of medical units to be renovated for easy access

The ministry is also asking the government to approve a budget of Bt1.3 billion for the reconstruction of 2,000 primary healthcare units nationwide.

According Dr Komart Jungsathiansab, director of the Ministry's Society and Health Institute, the buildings housing most primary healthcare units were not easy to access for the elderly and handicapped.

At present, most primary healthcare units are housed in twostorey buildings, with the second floor devoted to treatment rooms. The units have been set up in this manner for 25 years now to avoid flooding. Unfortunately, the patients have climb up to the second floor to see the doctor.

"Some are not able to tackle the stairs, while some have to stop and take a rest midway," Komart said.

About 11 per cent of the population or seven million people in Thailand are elderly, with most suffering from chronic diseases or motor problems.

Komart said that since most of the elderly needed constant medical attention, about 80 per cent of the units needed structural changes to allow easy access.

The Public Health Ministry has teamed up with the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage to design new buildings and to renovate the existing units. Each unit has been granted a budget of Bt500,000 for renovation, while Bt2 million has been allocated for each new structure.