New Phuket hospital opens its doors

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital opened today with more than 200 people registering as patients.

“The purpose of the hospital is to reduce the workload of other government hospitals. The OrBorJor bought the land and the Phyathai Hospital building and renovated it under a budget of 845 million baht,” explained OrBorJor Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Manop Leelasuthanon.

“The hospital provides secondary care and has 190 beds. There are 13 doctors, 40 nurses, 80 nursing assistants, five pharmacists and 148 other staff,” he said.

“Health checkups began today. Outpatient services will begin on June 1 and Inpatient services will begin on July 1,” he added.

The hospital, located off Srisena Road, is expected to serve 100,000 patients per year, Mr Manop said.

“Equipment and staff are 100 per cent ready to serve outpatients and should be able to tend to 300 patients a day,” said Hospital Director Dr Yee Yitathasiri.

“We are coordinating with Vachira Phuket Hospital in case our capacity is exceeded. Transferring patients there takes only 15 minutes,” Dr Yee added.

Chokchai Sittichok was one of the first patients today.

“I came here with my wife for a health checkup, which included a urine and blood test. It cost 800 baht for me and 600 baht for my wife. I think these are reasonable prices,” he said.

“I am a Phuket resident and know that this hospital was left unoccupied for a very long time. I am happy that the OrBorJor has turned it into a facility with advanced medical equipment.

“When people are sick, they need to be confident in the care they will receive,” he added.

— Janpen Upatising