Anutin slams hospital attacks

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday strongly condemned recent violence committed by gang members at two hospitals in Samut Prakan.

He also calling on hospital management not to settle out of court with the gangs, some of whom had gone on the rampage and assaulted medical personnel.

Mr Anutin said the management of Vibharam Chaiprakarn Hospital and Muangsamut Poo Chao Hospital, both privately run, should pursue legal action against the group members who went berserk after one man from a rival group died in a brawl.

“This is about conscience. Is it right to attack doctors if they can’t save a life? The hospitals should not compromise with them. This is really bad behaviour,” he said.

Mr Anutin said even though both hospitals are privately run, he planned to ask the Department of Health Service Support to follow up on the matter.

Eleven people were arrested on Monday over the hospital violence which erupted after a brawl between two rival gangs.

When one of the injured was pronounced dead at Vibharam Chaiprakarn Hospital in Phra Pradaeng district, his fellow gang members were outraged and assaulted a doctor and a staff.

After learning their rivals had been admitted to Muangsamut Poo Chao Hospital, they went there to take revenge. The group threw medical equipment and chairs around the emergency room before fleeing.

Public health permanent secretary Sukhum Kanchanapimai also ordered hospitals nationwide to all take legal action against people who commit violence on their premises. He warned that management would face a charge of negligence if they try to settle.