'Bangkok and the surrounding provinces are in a real crisis'

From Bangkok Post

While the government is upbeat about its Phuket reopening scheme, health personnel in Greater Bangkok are struggling to deal with a surge of new Covid-19 infections and deaths.

Hospitals are experiencing a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and staff to take care of patients in serious condition. The Public Health Ministry has mobilised 144 newly-graduated doctors from several provinces to help take care of patients amid the shortage of medical personnel in Bangkok. A welcoming event was organised on Thursday for the doctors who specialise in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases and critical care medicine.

"I would like to say sorry [for calling you to come] and thank you for your help," said Thongchai Kiratihatthayakon, deputy permanent secretary for public health, during the ceremony. "Now, Bangkok and the surrounding provinces are in a real crisis, patients are beginning to die at home.

"We do not want Thailand to be the same as Europe last year when many patients were allowed to die at home because there were no beds at hospitals," he said.

"Some of you might think why it has to be you [to be sent]," Dr Thongchai said. "It is because we really want your help, and your rectors see that you are the best. Now [the outbreak] is not manageable, that's why we want you all."

"In our life, we have never experienced something like World War II but we are now in a war where all countries around the world are struggling to fight against this disease," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2141823/doctors-arrive-in-capital-amid-surge-in-cases

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