Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a surprise visit to Bamrasnaradura Institute of Infectious Diseases this evening (Tuesday), to offer moral support to medical personnel and patients infected with COVID-19.
Accompanied by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Sukhum Kanchanapimai and senior health officials, the Prime Minister visited the ARI clinic, which screens patients suffering from respiratory diseases, and was briefed about the activities of the institute, which serves as the centre for the testing and treatment of coronavirus infection.
Via CCTV, he told a coronavirus patient to have patience, assuring him that he will be able to return home after treatment.
The Prime Minister and his delegation then went to the Department of Disease Control, which is in the same compound of the Public Health Ministry, to visit the health emergency operations centre and to hold a video conference with public health chiefs in 76 provinces across the country.
The Prime Minister said that today that he also had a video conference with all provincial governors, instructing them to follow health measures strictly, as mandated by the government to quarantine all the Thai workers returning from South Korea. Despite the measures, he admitted that he is concerned about the coronavirus situation, adding that he hopes the contagion will ease with the onset of the dry season.
After the cabinet meeting this evening, the Prime Minister asked the public to trust Thailand’s health system and not to believe everything claimed on social media.
He assured that his government is determined to overcome the coronavirus threat, adding that the virus situation in Thailand is better than in many countries, as evident in the number of COVID-19 cases and the recovery rate.
Regarding the shortage of face masks, he said that the Interior Ministry has instructed local units to produce 50 million to be distributed to members of the public, plus another 20 million to be produced by the Industry Ministry.
On top of that, he said the Government has approved new face mask factories and is working on promotional incentives for the investors. He also said that he would like all coalition parties to unite and focus on three major challenges, namely the COVID-19 epidemic, drought and the economic slowdown.
