Thai medics dispatched to disaster areas in Laos

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) – Thai Public Health Ministry opened an emergency operation center to help flood victims in Laos and dispatched Thai medics to disaster zones in southeastern Laos. Today, Surveillance and Rapid Response Team, Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team were dispatched to Laos. About 5,000 set of medicines for flood related ailments were sent to assist flood victims. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the Deputy Permanent Secretary said that Thai and Lao health officials have coordinated in response to the flood from the dam collapse under the Memorandum of Understanding between Champasak and Ubon Ratchathani. Public health inspector, Praphon Tangsrikiartkul, who heads the emergency center said that three Medical Emergency Response teams and sanitary teams have been deployed to disaster areas. The coordination center for public health and medical cooperation was set up at Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani. Sirindhorn Hospital was assigned to oversee the operation of Thai medical teams. (TNA)