Medical evacuations begin in Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya and Angthong

Nakhon Sawan's Sawan Pracharak Hospital on Monday rushed to evacuate patients with severe conditions to nearby hospitals after water in the Chao Phraya River broke the embankment and overflowed into the municipality.

Nakhon Sawan's Sawan Pracharak Hospital on Monday rushed to evacuate patients with severe conditions to nearby hospitals after water in the Chao Phraya River broke the embankment and overflowed into the municipality.

Fifty patients with severe conditions who needed respiratory devices were sent to Jiraprawat Military Camp Hospital and the Mother and Children Hospital, about five kilometres from Sawan Pracharak Hospital.

More than 650 patients were receiving treatment in the hospital at the time of evacuation.

"We expected the flood water to reach the first floor of hospital building. We can still handle this situation," provincial health chief Dr Buares Sriprathak said.

However, he said the hospital had decided to suspend outpatient services but continue with its inpatient department. He added there was no necessity to use helicopters to transfer patient to other hospitals.

The Public Health Ministry has set up a mobile medical unit to provide treatment to floodaffected people at the Phaholyothin intersection. People requiring treatment can receive medical care at Military Camp Jiraprawat hospital and Mother and Children hospital.

In Ayutthaya province, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said about 78 patients were waiting transfer from Pranakhon Sri Ayutthaya hospital to other hospitals.

More mobile medical units were set up at the temporary shelter at the provincial city hall. A medical team and physiatrists have been instructed to be on standby around the clock to provide medical treatment.

The ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said the ministry has instructed its 20 hospitals to keep a close eye on the flood situation as they are at risk from the floods.

Meanwhile Angthong Hospital on Monday began transferring patients in the critical care unit to other hospitals after flooding threatened the hospital.

The loss of power is the main concern as it could also cause problems to patients using respirators.

Hospital director Narong Apikulwanit said although flooding has yet to reach the hospital, the surrounding areas have been submerged, forcing the evacuation of patients needing critical care. The Emergency Medical Service sent one helicopter to select a landing zone for patient transport in case of emergency.