On June 1, Thailand set up its first hospital for COVID-19 patients with disabilities.
The Sirindhorn Science Home Field Hospital for Persons with Disabilities in Pathum Thani province is a joint effort by the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
According to the Thai government, the field hospital can accommodate patients with disabilities infected with the novel coronavirus, aged 15-65 years old.
With 224 beds, the hospital will serve as a regional model for the care of COVID-19 patients with disabilities and is equipped to serve individuals who are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. New medical innovations and technologies such as the TTRS system for the deaf, UV-C sterilizers and more will facilitate the patients’ care, the government said.
According to a government spokesperson, the founding of the hospital is indicative of Thailand’s continued efforts to provide for its most vulnerable populations. Throughout the pandemic, the Committee for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has also approved a number of emergency assistance measures, such as extending the use of expired disability IDs and extending emergency loans.
Any individual with disabilities infected with COVID-19 can seek help via various channels including the Department of Medical Service’s Hotline 1668, National Health Security Office Hotline 1300 and Persons with Disabilities Hotline 1479, as well as the TTRS application for persons with hearing impairments.
