Nan: Nan Hospital evacuates patients urgently in the middle of the night as water overflows into the emergency department. Volunteers and soldiers rush to help amid flood crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, Nan Hospital announced the urgent transfer of patients from the Accident and Emergency Department after flash floods caused by continuous heavy rain led to water overflowing into the central area of the hospital, particularly affecting the Emergency Department. This department is crucial for receiving critically ill patients and those requiring urgent care. Dr. Natthatorn Darapongsathaporn, Deputy Director of Environmental and Energy Infrastructure, stated that the hospital is currently transferring patients from the Accident and Emergency Department, with a focus on those needing life-saving equipment like ventilators and dialysis machines, who have been moved to safer departments.
Hospital staff have sought assistance from external agencies, receiving cooperation from volunteers from the 38th Infantry Regiment, Phetkasem Foundation, Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, and local rescue units. These groups have been instrumental in moving patients and medical equipment and setting up additional water barriers to prevent flooding in the ICU and operating rooms. Floodwaters on Worawichai Road in front of the hospital, reaching depths of 30-50 centimeters, have complicated ambulance access to the building. Staff have resorted to using stretchers to transport patients over 100 meters through the water. The hospital advises individuals with mild conditions to seek treatment at other facilities and requests people to avoid the road in front of the hospital as floodwaters remain high and are expected to rise further.
The hospital urges the public to follow updates from its official page and report emergencies via the 1669 hotline or the Nan Provincial Public Health Office for additional assistance.
Rescue workers and foundations disclosed their efforts to navigate through the water to assist patients during the night. Some had to carry stretchers through nearly half a kilometer of water. ‘Upon receiving the report from Nan Hospital, we dispatched equipment vehicles and personnel immediately. However, our vehicles could not reach the emergency building due to the high floodwater and strong currents. We parked on the road outside and walked approximately 400 meters through the water to assist in moving patients. We were battling against time and the current. Some patients needed to be transported on stretchers covered with plastic to prevent them from getting wet as they were infected and on ventilators.’
Despite the darkness and ongoing rain, rescue workers continued their mission while hearing urgent calls for help from the emergency room to move several patients in worsening conditions. ‘Everyone, including officers, volunteers, soldiers, and local residents, worked tirelessly, pushing trucks, pulling stretchers, and transporting medical equipment without regard for their own safety,’ stated Mr. Sarawut.
Rescue workers noted that some patient transport routes were cut off, necessitating new pick-up points. Rescue teams from Nan Hospital reported, ‘Transporting patients from different districts requires frequent route changes due to flooded roads, particularly near the Worawichai entrance. The water levels prevent some ambulances with ventilators from passing, necessitating the use of high-rise vehicles or military assistance to transport patients to the back of the hospital, a method never used before. We are committed to ensuring continuous patient treatment during the flooding.’