Rural doctors receive honour

Rural doctors receive honour

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

Three doctors have been named recipients of 2012's Outstanding Rural Doctor award for improving medical care for people in remote areas.

The awards go to Dr Piroj Rattanacharoenthum, Pak Khat Hospital's director in Bung Kan province; Dr Nirund Wichasetsmith, Mayo Hospital's director in Pattani province; and Dr Sirichai Namtatsanee, Kuchinarai Crown Prince Hospital's deputy director in Kalasin province.

They received the awards yesterday from Dr Vichai Chokewiwat, the chairman of the Rural Doctors Foundation.

The doctors were praised for providing excellent health care while working under tight budgets and with staff shortages, the foundation said.

Dr Piroj has worked to improve the meagre rural public health system at his hospital for 20 years, it said.

He has managed to provide free cataract surgery to patients by drawing help from volunteers.

Pak Khat hospital is close to the Thai-Lao border. The hospital receives more than 300 patients, including patients from Laos, who can't afford medical treatment, every day.

The foundation said Dr Piroj is able to treat everyone because he manages his tight budget well.

Dr Nirund has been working at a hospital within one of Mayo district's most dangerous areas for more than 18 years.

He provides mental health rehabilitation to people suffering from trauma linked to the southern violence, the foundation said.

Dr Nirund's medical team, aided by volunteers, visit patients at home to help them recover from traumatic experiences.

Since 2004, thousands of soldiers, police and civilians have sought treatment from Dr Nirund's programme.

"My role as a doctor can't solve the southern conflict, but I can help heal the people harmed by the conflict," he said after receiving the award.

Dr Sirichai received his award for introducing disease prevention health care, or family medicine, into the rural public health system. Family medicine emphasises disease prevention and a healthy lifestyle.

"Good communication is missing from the public health system today," Dr Sirichai said.

"Doctors should communicate with patients, and understand them. Primary care is essential to help doctors assess patients comprehensively."

Treatment of the disabled and the elderly in Kalasin is poor, he said. Many young people have migrated to larger cities in search of work. Many patients do not have family to help take care of them so they are often in a severe condition by the time they are taken to hospital.

Dr Sirichai said he began focusing on family medicine and disease prevention early in his career.

The foundation has given the award to 52 doctors between 1985-2011.

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