Disaster Medicine in Thailand: A Current Update. Are We Prepared?
Chayanin Angthong MD*, Petchpong Kumjornkijjakarn MD**, Atchariya Pangma MD, Flt Lt***, Amir Khorram-Manesh MD, PhD****
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand ** Bangkok Emergency Medical Service, Bangkok Metropolitan, Bangkok, Thailand *** Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand **** Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
Objective : To investigate the level of major incident/disasters preparedness in Thailand by evaluating to-date data with main
focus on past events and their outcomes to alert national medical societies for their roles in upcoming disasters/major
incidents.
Material and Method: Besides data from past disasters/major incidents (Jan 2006-Dec 2010), including injury details in
each event; all information about current disasters/major incidents preparedness systems, triage and pre-hospital management,
standard of personnel, co-ordination and command centers, were reviewed by using data from Bangkok Emergency Medical
Service, Narenthorn EMS of Rajavithi Hospital, Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, Royal Thai Police, Department of
Disaster prevention and mitigation (Ministry of Interior).
Results : There was neither a national registry, nor an authentic centralization of the preparedness system. The current
organization was found to be functional, but incomplete. The main dispatch center responsible for medical service in Bangkok
metropolitan during the present study period was Bangkok EMS (“Erawan center”). In provincial areas, emergency medical
services (Ministry of Public Health) in each province act as dispatcher in their corresponding regions in cooperation with the
emergency operation divisions in their related area. Several private organizations also volunteered to assist. There was an
increase in the number of disasters/major incidents in Thailand between 2006 and 2010; with a total number of 60,999 deaths,
346,763 wounded patients and 73 missing and total costs of 47,453.69 million Baht (1,581.79 million US Dollar).
Discussion and
Conclusion : There is an established and functional disaster management organization in Thailand with
some overlapping difficulties and a need for improvement. Understanding the national need for registry, public information,
preparedness, cooperation and coordination inside and outside hospitals, will not only save lives, but also would be beneficial
for the country in terms of major economical measures.
Keywords : Disaster Medicine, Thailand, Major incident, Mortality, Injury, Update
