Thai king honoured for vital contribution to Covid-19 fight

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua demonstrated his generosity through substantial support for medical personnel battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

To celebrate his 69th birthday on July 28, the king is being honoured for his vital contributions to medical science and public health, which have become crucial amidst the pandemic.

The king’s efforts in enhancing medical science and public health, especially during the pandemic that has gripped the country since early 2020, have earned him profound respect.

Since the initial outbreak of Covid in early 2020, the king has donated 122 million baht worth of mobile lab vehicles and medical equipment to hospitals and medical institutes nationwide.

These donations, part of a project aimed at supplying medical equipment and respirators, strengthened the public health sector by enabling effective screening and testing in heavily affected areas.

The king donated two mobile X-ray units, 200,000 reusable PPE items, 400,000 Silguard isolation gowns, and 50,000 Silguard coveralls. These PPE donations provided much-needed relief to frontline medical workers, who often faced shortages of protective gear while working long hours to save lives.

In 2021, Their Majesties the King and Queen received a prototype of the Express Analysis Mobile Unit from the president of Chulalongkorn University Council. They then donated four additional units, which, along with the university’s unit, were handed to the public health permanent secretary for conducting Covid tests.

These mobile units, paired with royally donated sample-collecting vehicles, completed the testing process within three hours, aiding mass testing in high-infection areas and effective tracing of infection clusters.

On June 7, 2021, Their Majesties granted 16 more sample-collecting vehicles equipped with onboard IT and six biosafety units. These additions complemented the 20 vehicles previously donated, offering on-site testing that saved people trips to the hospital and limited infection spread.

According to a news bulletin from the Bureau of the Royal Household (BRH), Their Majesties have been actively involved in the pandemic response since it was first detected in Thailand in early 2020.

Their Majesties guided infection control measures and moral support to public health workers. They acknowledged the hard work and exhaustion of medical personnel on the front lines.

Their Majesties also supported the economy by purchasing farming products from all regions, providing an economic lifeline during the crisis, reported Bangkok Post.