Health checks reveal Phuket police getting heavy

PHUKET: Police officers stationed in Phuket are increasingly becoming overweight and suffering high cholesterol, the Phuket Gazette was told today.

The news came on the first day of the annual police health checkup at Chalong Police Station, where 160 officers will undergo health checks today and tomorrow.

“The preliminary results of the checks conducted so far show that many of our officers are overweight and have high cholesterol,” said Sen Sgt Maj Naphat Buyapiniharn, who organized the Chalong checkup this year.

Conducting the checks are seven medical staff from Patong Hospital accompanied by a mobile x-ray unit from Takua Thung Hospital in Phang Nga.

The Patong medicos conduct on-the-spot tests, such as checking blood pressure.

“We are also collecting blood and urine samples to take back to the hospital for more conclusive tests in order to determine the condition of officers’ internal organs, such as their kidneys, livers and hearts,” said one Patong Hospital staffer.

The on-site x-rays conducted by the Takua Thung Hospital staff are to provide doctors at Patong Hospital with more information to determine whether any of the officers are suffering any major health disorders, the staffer added.

Although some of the tests provide instant results, the results of tests for serious health disorders, such as diabetes and heart disease, will not be available for “many days”.

“Once officers know what – if any – physical conditions they are suffering from, they can consult a doctor so they can undertake appropriate treatment,” Sen Sgt Maj Naphat said.

Chalong Police are not being singled out with the health checks.

“All police officers in Phuket will undergo the checks before the end of this month,” Sen Sgt Maj Naphat added.

— Atchaa Khamlo