Anutin ‘sorry’ for harsh words
Health minister calls medics ‘reckless’
The public health community has expressed discontent with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who criticised medical personnel who tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Anutin’s remark that the medical workers were reckless and put others at risk set social media ablaze. Nine medical officials including the director of Samut Prakan Hospital contracted the novel coronavirus.
Responding to a reporters’ question about medical staff being infected, Mr Anutin said that as far as he was concerned, no doctors contracted the virus from doing their job. “We must crack the whip. We’re not happy with medical staff who don’t protect themselves. We’re supposed to lead by example,” he said.
Many social media users viewed Mr Anutin’s comments as demoralising for those working on the frontlines to combat the outbreak. One user reacted: “As a doctor, I want to take off my coat and go home. As if a lack of measures to protect us isn’t enough, here comes such a disheartening comment.”
The outpouring of anguish is due to the government’s poor handling of the outbreak which led to shortages of medical supplies such as face masks and protective suits.
Following the criticism, Mr Anutin defended himself, saying he was referring to those who failed to do what they preached and he never spoke ill of those dedicated to their work.
In a video clip, Mr Anutin apologised to the medics saying he did not intend to take anyone to task. He was under pressure when he made the comments and did not listen to the questions clearly enough. He attributed the slip-up to a communication problem.
“My comments may have upset you, my colleagues, the doctors and nurses treating the sick. I apologise. I never had ill intention when I said that.”
“What you are all doing is phenomenal,” Mr Anutin said, pledging support for medical personnel in their fight against the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Nampol Daenpipat, director of Samut Prakan Hospital, has been confirmed as one of the nine medical staff to have contracted the virus, according to the Department of Communicable Diseases Control.
Its deputy director-general Atsadang Ruayajin said an investigation is underway to determine from whom Dr Nampol contracted the virus because the director attended various meetings prior to her diagnosis.
He said people who came into contact with Dr Atsadang have been informed and asked to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days.
Meanwhile, in Yala, six doctors and 15 others have been placed under quarantine after a doctor and two nurses at Bannang Sata Hospital tested positive for the virus.
According to the provincial public health office, the hospital has eight doctors and six of them are now quarantined. The 15 others have been asked to self-isolate.
As a result, the hospital is suspending non-urgent services and all staff are required to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms.