BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) - The Medical Council of Thailand on Thursday opposed the use of violence to solve any conflict, while urging all medical doctors to help patients without discrimination and to observe international humanitarian principles, according to Somsak Lohlekha, M.D., Chairman of the Medical Council of Thailand.
Dr. Somsak said the statement was approved by council committees from 16 medical institutions nationwide representing 38,000 doctors.
Two people died and hundreds were injured in the violent clashes in Bangkok on Tuesday after police used tear gas against anti-government protesters at Parliament.
The Medical Council issued the statement in response to moves by some doctors who vowed not to treat injured police officers to protest the use of force against protesters.
Dr. Suthep Koncharnwit, a physician at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said on Wednesday that medical teams from the hospital would not give medical assistance to police who were injured in the clashes with PAD supporters to show that the doctors opposed the use of violence.
Medical council chairman Dr. Somsak said the council would investigate the issue.
Meanwhile, Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general Dr. Phan Wannamethee and executives of Chulalongkorn Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society and Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Medicine together issued a statement affirming their stance to treat patients regardless of political belief, race, nationality and religion.
Meanwhile, Dr. Suthep from Chulalongkorn apologised for having announced a boycott of medical service to the police, and the emotional remarks he had made at a press conference said he was sorry to have made statements that may have had a negative impact against the hospital.
He said some may have misunderstood his intention as he only wanted to urge the authorities and other in responsible positions to understand that the measures government and police used against protesters were not appropriate.
He added that in practice he did not deny medical treatment to any patient.
Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung explained that the physician had been speaking from anger, but he believed that all doctors practice medical ethics and would not discriminate against patients, despite the emotions raised by this week's events.
He assured the public that the medical institutes under the Public Health Ministry would give their full attention to help all patients.
In the meantime, Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service centre reported that the number of those injured has risen to 478, and of those, 85 had been admitted to nine hospitals in metropolitan Bangkok.
Nine people experienced severe wound and had to amputate their arms, legs, fingers and lost eye.(TNA)
General News : Last Update : 19:42:31 9 October 2008 (GMT+7:00)
|
