Locals up in arms over field hospital plan
About 20 people, led by a Palang Pracharath MP, turned up at the City Office yesterday, to oppose a proposed field hospital for Covid-19 patients at a military camp in Muang district.
They were motivated by Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha’s announcement during a television interview on Monday that preparations were under way to establish a field hospital at Fort Bhanurangsi in Muang district, Ratchaburi, to treat the infected.
Kulwadee Nop-amornbodi, a PPRP MP for Ratchaburi, yesterday accompanied a group carrying banners and posters to demand that governor Ronnapop Luangpairote address their concerns.
Prakorb Sapyodkaew, chairman of the shrimp farmers association of Bang Phae district, said it would be unfair to residents if people infected with Covid19 were brought from elsewhere to be treated in Ratchaburi.
“The Fort Bhanurangsi camp is in the heart of the town, and we don’t believe authorities would be able to prevent the virus spreading out into the community,” Mr Prakorb said.
Wantewin Sawetthanapokin, a Muang district resident, said Mr Sathit should have asked the people of Ratchaburi first if they agreed with the idea. Infected patients should be taken to Rayong instead, he said.
Rayong is the deputy health minister’s home province.
The provincial governor personally accepted the group’s petition letter, which was addressed to the prime minister.
He said the first he heard about the field hospital proposal was from the TV, and he had not been consulted about it.
The governor said he would ask the military for more information.