Education minister visits CM Field Hospital 2 and expresses support for healthcare workers
21 April 2021
Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC)
The President of CMU, Clinical Prof. Niwes Nanthachit, and the executive team welcomed Adjunct Prof.Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and the Ministry’s executives on their visit to the field hospital under the Ministry’s affiliation in Chiang Mai. Mr. Chareonrit Sanguansat, the Governor of Chiang Mai, Prof. Bannakij Lojanapiwat, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Emeritus Prof. Suwat Chariyalertsak, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, provided summaries of the situation and preparation for COVID-19 at CMU in the Tawan Kangwanphong Meeting Room, Office of Strategy, Office of the University, Chiang Mai University, on April 21, 2021. The team also visited Chiang Mai Field Hospital 2 at CMU’s Women’s Dormitory No. 5.
Clinical Prof. Niwes Nanthachit explained that amidst the worsening COVID-19 situation, the University was contacted by the Province of Chiang Mai to help accommodate the increasing number of patients. Due to concern for the students, staff, and the general public, the University swiftly transformed Women’s Dormitory No. 5 into Chiang Mai’s second field hospital. It began transferring patients from the main field hospital on April 10, 2021.
The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has also been set up to provide integrative assistance to CMU students and staff and to monitor risk groups to prevent further spread. Risk groups are required to provide details of their timelines in order to track the contact groups. The University has also assisted in the screening and testing processes, and, in the case of infection, CMU students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be brought to the Chiang Mai Field Hospital 2 for treatment. CMU is endeavouring to care for the students and staff to ensure recovery.
Prof.Dr. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, M.D., Vice President, explained that Chiang Mai Field Hospital 2 is an extension of the Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, responsible for the treatment of CMU students and staff who test positive for COVID-19. It is operated by a team of healthcare professionals from the main hospital and if the patients develop severe symptoms, they will be transferred there immediately.
Prof. Bannakij Lojanapiwat, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, added that once the patients arrive at Chiang Mai Field Hospital 2, they have to register via QR code to access the telemedicine service and receive orientation training on self-conduct while receiving care at the Hospital. Necessities are provided for the patients, and their conditions will be monitored closely via the telemedicine system. In case of severe symptoms, patients will be sent to the Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital at once. This Field Hospital has a capacity of 360 beds, and patients who completed their quarantine and are fully recovered have been discharged. The discharge system is systematically operated using the application called ‘CMU SELF HEALTH CHECK CARE U’ to monitor transmission and to provide suitable health advice.
Adjunct Prof. Dr. Anek Laothamatas expressed that the University, which is equipped with capable personnel and facilities, is able to assist the government at full capacity in this time of crisis. The patient care system is well-designed, and every inch has been utilised to the fullest benefit, relieving the pressure in patient care from governmental agencies. He said further, “I would like to thank the Province of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai University and the staff from all sectors who are working very hard and feel exhausted. They have sacrificed their personal lives, not being able to spend the Songkran break with their families. But they have shown to people all over the country how strong they are, and support in any aspect would be very much appreciated.”
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For further information and images, please visit
https://www.cmu.ac.th/th/article/c072faa6-336c-401a-a315-07928bed507d
https://www.cmu.ac.th/th/article/b3956fb6-e569-4c94-9f40-bf60a8f64dc6