The Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has praised the “Thammasat University Field Hospital” and said that it should serve as an example for other universities to follow if the COVID-19 situation gets worse.
Dr Suvit Maesincee, The Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), after observing Thammasat University Field Hospital on 27 March 2020, remarked that there are supervising universities all over the country, especially regional universities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Prince of Songkla University and 38 Rajabhat Universities. Therefore, if the transmission of COVID-19 gets worse, he said that other universities should also follow the example of Thammasat University Field Hospital
Dr Suvit says that “Thammasat University Field Hospital is well-equipped in terms of management system and basic infrastructure, including IT system, room management, and treatment for both physical and mental state. All of these are concrete. By transforming Thammasat University into a field hospital, I want professors and Thammasat’s medical team to tell us about the success and guidelines of this hospital. In the future, if we need to transform other universities to field hospitals, we can do it promptly.”
“I would like to cheer up and praise Thammasat University and Thammasat University Hospital. I am sure of Thammasat’s capacity. In the next 2-3 weeks, it is estimated that there will be more patients. If we can distinguish those who are more severe and those who have mild symptoms, we can help the country a lot. Therefore, if there is anything needed, I agree to help and work with the central sector to support,” says Dr Suvit.
Assoc Prof Gasinee Witoonchart, President of Thammasat University, says that “Thammasat is a university of people that compile knowledge, research work, and many talented professors. Therefore, due to the national crisis, Thammasat fully enforced its support. Thammasat’s field hospital is an obvious example of the cooperation from various sectors, including the government, private sector, academic sector, medical school, and citizens to show that we will never leave anyone behind.”
“I would like to thank the Minister, Dr. Suvit, that came to cheer up the working staff. I would like to ask citizens to trust Thammasat University Field Hospital and the medical team from Thammasat University Hospital. We will take good care of you. We hope to be part of and ease the burden of other universities. We will support and help the country to succeed its mission” says Assoc Prof Gasinee.
Prof Dr Surapon Nitikraipon, President of Thammasat University Hospital said that the main principle of Thammasat University Hospital with 308 beds is that it can support patients from public hospitals. “In the beginning, we will take patients who get better from 5 medical schools. We have started the service and took the first patient on the recent 26 March. We will take patients who have stable conditions and monitor them for 14 days. During this time, if the patients get worse, they will get treatment at Thammasat University Hospital immediately.” said Prof Dr Surapon.
Moreover, the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, and TOT Co.Ltd. installed a communication system in Thammasat University Hospital in order to handle COVID-19 patients. Students from the Faculty of Engineering volunteer to help install the CCTV systems and communication systems between patients and the medical team, in total 308 sets.