Second Thai health team leaves for quake-hit Nepal

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health has sent its second team of 24 doctors to quake-hit Nepal, with their mission to be focused on treating chronic diseases and mental impacts of affected people. Thai Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Somsak Chunharas sent off the second team of Thai doctors to Nepal on Thursday, saying that the new team comprises of emergency doctors, surgeons and psychiatrists from Bangkok-based Siriraj, Chulalongkorn and Nopparat Rajathanee Hospitals. Dr. Somsak told journalists that from now on, there should be more patients with chronic diseases than injured people in quake-ravaged Nepal. Besides, the Thai health personnel will survey the mental health of Nepalese people and later design relief measures. According to the deputy public health minister, the Thai doctors will remain stationing in Sipaghat Village of Sindhupalchowk District, while the third team of Thai doctors will be soon sent to Chandani Village. In Sipaghat, the deputy public health minister reported, Thai doctors have treated 1,026 quake victims, most of whom suffered from infected and inflamed wounds. The deputy public health minister noted that his ministry's medical supplies for Nepalese quake victims center on liquid medicines, as children exceed 40 per cent of the Nepalese population, and his ministry has also delivered 120,000 water purification packs donated by Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali for the production of drinking water in Nepal. Meanwhile, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Tritos Sonjaeng told reporters that the Royal Thai Air Force will stop its transport of soldiers and supplies to quake-ravaged Nepal on May 12, but it may resume the service later if instructed by the Thai government. (TNA)