Hospital being probed for allegedly turning away Taiwanese tourist leading to his death

PUBLIC Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew ordered an investigation of a private hospital in Pattanakarn area that allegedly refused to treated a badly injured Taiwanese tourist leading to rescuers taking him to a state hospital much further away and him dying on way, TV Channel 7 said this evening (Dec. 12).

The unidentified Taiwanese tourist lost consciousness after being hit by a car. The rescue team gave him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rushed him to the private hospital which was just 500 metres away.

However it was reported that this private hospital refused to admit the tourist leading to the rescue team then taking him to a state hospital which is 10 kilometres away and the patient dying before getting there.

Chonlanan said as soon as he received this report he ordered the Department of Health Service Support and National Institute for Emergency Medicine to urgently send officials to find out the facts.

If it is found that this private hospital really did refuse to admit the patient it would amount to violation of both humanitarian and legal principles and the toughest legal action will be taken, he added.

Two key points are to be examined, firstly upon the patient reaching the hospital was assessment made and assistance given and if he was in danger was medical treatment provided according to professional standards? If it was necessary to refer him to another hospital for treatment was he appropriately transferred or not?

Secondly, did this hospital assess whether the patient was in critical condition requiring emergency healthcare for up to 72 hours under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme?

Chonlanan added that the Thai government prioritises taking care of all foreign tourists who come to visit Thailand and will not permit them to be in unsafe condition nor subject to illegal actions.

Dr. Sura Wisetsak, chief of Department of Health Service Support, said he quickly ordered the Legal Division to investigate and get information from Phra Nakhon emergency radio centre and Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre (Erawan Centre).

They were told that this private hospital’s emergency medical staff refused to provide treatment to the patient because he was not accompanied by relatives and therefore medical expenses might not be covered. The patient was then sent to the state hospital but died on the way.

The Legal Division checked with the National Institute for Emergency Medicine which confirmed that it is true.

Both agencies will tomorrow (Dec. 13) visit this private hospital and gather evidence by examining various documents. Emergency medical staff present at the time of this incident will be carefully questioned so as to be fair to both sides.

If any wrongdoing is uncovered, violators face maximum two years’ imprisonment and/or fine of not more than 40,000 baht.

CAPTION:

Rescuers helping the Taiwanese tourist and an entrance to the emergency room. Photos: Matichon

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