Bangkok: The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with both government and private sector agencies, has launched a project titled "100 Hospitals, 100 Safe Deposit Banks, 100 Hearts United" aimed at enhancing child safety through the distribution of car seats. This initiative is expected to improve access to car seats for families with children under the age of six, thus significantly reducing the risk of child fatalities and injuries in vehicular accidents.
According to Thai News Agency, the project involves the establishment of a "Car Seat Bank," which will receive and distribute car seats to affiliated hospitals. The Minister of Public Health highlighted the importance of car seats in child safety, noting that they can decrease the risk of death by up to 70% and mitigate the severity of injuries during accidents. Mr. Pattana Promphat, the Minister of Public Health, alongside Dr. Ay Lan Lee, WHO Representative to Thailand, recently attended an exhibition showcasing the project at the Department of Disease Control.
Mr. Pattana elaborated on the legal backdrop, mentioning the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2565 (2022), which mandates the use of child safety seats for young children. Despite this requirement, challenges persist due to lack of awareness and the high cost of car seats. To address these issues, the Department of Disease Control, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and various road safety partners, including Toyota Motor Thailand and Thailand Post, launched the project to facilitate broader access to child safety seats.
The initiative has received approval from the government agency's fundraising committee, allowing for the acceptance of new and gently used car seat donations. These donations will be evaluated and distributed to families in need through participating hospitals. A Car Seat Dashboard has been developed for tracking and managing the distribution process to meet public demand effectively.
Mr. Phatthana urged the public to contribute to child safety by donating car seats in good condition. Donations can be made through participating hospitals, the Department of Disease Control, Toyota service centers, and other designated locations. This effort aims to ensure that more children can travel safely, thereby enhancing their protection on the road.