For the convenience of patients, especially those with existing appointments, hospitals operated by the Ministry of Public Health and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will open as normal on Monday July 31st, even though it has been declared an extra public holiday by the cabinet.

The cabinet decision on Tuesday, declaring July 31st a holiday, came out of the blue and has caught many hospitals off guard, because the hospitals have already made appointments on that day.

For instance, at Chulalongkorn Hospital, there are 114 appointments for major surgery, 400 X-ray bookings, 254 chemo-therapy sessions and 86 endoscopic examinationsscheduled.

Dr. Surasak said that several state hospitals have held discussions and they agree that they will open as normal on July 31st.

Citing the case of the APEC summit in Bangkok last year, he said hospitals are usually aware of long holidays several weeks in advance, giving them enough time to adjust their working arrangements and postpone some appointments.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong said he has instructed all hospitals under the Public Health Ministry to open as normal on July 31st and to make sure that patients who have advance appointments for major surgery will not be affected.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, meanwhile, assured that all 11 hospitals run by the BMA will open as normal and,if any of them cannot do so, they should quickly notify the administration.

He also said the he does not want the 69 health offices under the BMA to close on July 31st either, adding, however, that a meeting is scheduled this evening to consider the matter.