Banphaeo Hospital inks deal with OrBorJor

PHUKET CITY: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) and Banphaeo Hospital in Samut Sakhon signed a deal on January 26 at Phuket Merlin Hotel that will see the long-abandoned buildings of Phya Thai Hospital renovated and jointly run as a public organization under provincial administration.

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla and Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima witnessed the signing that will see the hospital buildings refitted and managed by Banphaeo Hospital.

Last month, OrBorJor President Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra said that for people in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, the hospital will offer low-cost treatment with the same quality as private healthcare.

Banphaeo Hospital, which has operated Prommitr Hospital, Bangkok, independently for several years, will help Phuket OrBorJor run the hospital for the first three years of operation.

K. Anchalee said that Banphaeo Hospital will be a welcome addition to healthcare on the island as Phuket’s provincial healthcare facilities cannot currently support the medical needs of Phuket’s growing population.

She added that although Phuket’s private hospitals provide a high standard of medical care, the escalating costs of private treatment mean many islanders cannot afford such treatment.

With financial assistance from the Thai Assets Management Corporation (TAMC), the two hospital buildings on 14 rai of land were purchased for 327 million baht; 180 million baht has been set aside for improvements to the 11-story main building that has space for 280 beds.

Plans for the other five-story building, with a capacity of 110 rooms, include a hydro spa, shops and residences for hospital staff.

“Unfortunately, thieves have stolen many of the valuable items already put in the buildings for renovation, such as electrical wiring,” said K. Anchalee.

“We have asked Silpakorn University to oversee the architecture. The predominant color in the hospital will be green to help patients relax. We hope to open the first phase with 100 beds by the end of the year,” she added.

K. Mongkol expressed his confidence in Banphaeo Hospital operating independently as a public organization while working alongside the government to improve public healthcare.

“Banphaeo Hospital’s experience in public healthcare will allow the organization to give valuable training to OrBorJor medical officers,” he said.

“The public will benefit from the addition of low-cost healthcare offered by the new hospital as living expenses in Phuket are high. There are not enough government hospitals and private hospitals are expensive,” he added.