| Burmese still suffering, says Thai medical team |
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| Written by Bangkok Post | |
| Sunday, 01 June 2008 00:00 | |
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Stress, disease and infections rampant The Burmese are still suffering from stress and diseases in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, a doctor who led the first Thai medical team dispatched to the country said yesterday. Pichit Siriwan, of Chulalongkorn Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society, said people living in lowland areas were the hardest hit, made homeless by the cyclone. They lived under stress and most suffered from respiratory diseases and food-borne and water-borne infections, he told reporters. About 200 camps were set up, accommodating about 1,000, according to Dr Pichit, the team leader of the unit of 18 doctors and 12 nurses. He added that the Thai team treated 3,700 sick people from those camps and surrounding areas. About 1,900 of the patients were children whose parents were killed in the disaster. The unit returned to Bangkok yesterday after leaving on May 17 to assist the victims. The Thai doctors also organised activities to help the mental health of the victims. ''The Burmese appreciated the kindness of the Thai doctors,'' Dr Pichit said, adding that Burmese doctors wanted more Thai medical teams to help them look after victims. More doctors from Thailand were willing to go if the Burmese leaders allow future missions. Dr Pichit said Thai businessmen in Burma also helped arrange for translators to overcome the language barrier during the relief operation. |
