HRH Chulabhorn grants free medical care to three Phuket afflicted

PHUKET: HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana today granted much-needed specialist medical care to three Phuket residents who would otherwise not receive the treatment they need.

Princess Chulabhorn arrived at Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School in Koh Kaew, just north of Phuket Town, at 2:30pm in support of a free mobile medical clinic being held there under the Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation.

The foundation is renowned for providing free general healthcare and critically needed medical services to people who otherwise could not afford it.

“One patient received at the clinic today suffers from Retinoblastoma [a cancerous tumor of the retina]. That patient will be treated at Siriraj Hospital [in Bangkok],” said Phuket Provincial Health Office chief Sak Tanchaikul.

Another patient, diagnosed with leukemia, will be sent for treatment at the Chulabhorn Research Institute at Chulabhorn Hospital in Bangkok.

The third patient, who has extra digits on each hand and foot, will also be sent to Chulalongkorn Hospital for treatment, Dr Sak added.

The foundation, established in Phuket since 1975, is currently supported by more than 1,000 doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other volunteers in the province.

Dr Sak explained that 117 people received medical checkups at the clinic today.

“Thirteen of them will be sent to hospitals for treatment. Some of them may be referred to Siriraj Hospital or Chulabhorn Hospital in Bangkok,” he added.

— Janpen Upatising