In October, hundreds of Khon Kaen Hospital staff launched a campaign of "Every Day is Black" as they protested against a Public Health Ministry order to transfer their director again and again.
Earlier in June, hospital director Charnchai Chanvorachaikul was transferred to an inactive post after being accused of receiving kickbacks from pharmaceutical firms to carry their products. He argued the money was donated to help improve conditions at the hospital. The investigation is still underway.
The transfer order in June was opposed by staff, who demanded his return. The ministry eventually bowed to the pressure and reinstated him. He was reinstated as Khon Kaen Hospital director in early October but wasn't there long before permanent secretary for public health Kiattiphum Wongrajit ordered the director to move to Roi Et Hospital on Oct 16.
He was praised by the protesters for turning around the hospital's financial situation. Its balance sheet was once 80 billion baht in the red.
Khon Kaen Hospital is seen as one of the best hospitals in the country. It incurs large costs for operations as it takes patients with serious conditions from smaller hospitals in the northeastern region -- such as Roi Et Hospital.
