Bangkok governor summoned by PM, asked to explain Covid treatment complaints

The governor of Bangkok has been summoned by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and asked to explain why residents in the capital are unable to access Covid-19 treatment. According to a Nation Thailand report, Governor Aswin Kwanmuang met with the PM and was asked to explain the complaints from Bangkok patients.

Addressing the media, the PM confirmed the meeting took place at Government House yesterday morning. He says Aswin has pledged to look into the complaints and the treatment being offered by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

“I called him here to find out about the Covid-19 situation. I asked him what he would do about people complaining they lacked access to treatment.”

According to the PM, the complaints could be the result of the public not understanding the new measures affecting patients who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. A recent change to government policy means these patients receive outpatient treatment only. They can seek treatment at government hospitals and, if necessary, will be given medication to address their symptoms and then sent home to recover.

The meeting between the PM and the BMA chief followed a number of complaints from activist groups, who claimed many patients were unable to get Covid-19 treatment in Bangkok as hospitals in the capital refused to admit them.

Last week, the Public Health Ministry said asymptomatic patients in Bangkok, and those with mild symptoms, could get treatment in the surrounding provinces if hospitals in the capital were too full. The ministry said there were 19 hospitals in surrounding provinces that would offer free treatment to Bangkok residents.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand