Hat yai: The Department of Health has initiated a SEhRT team to address the aftermath of the recent floods that have affected the city. Waste accumulation has become a pressing issue, and immediate sanitation measures are being implemented to avert potential disease outbreaks.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Health, under the leadership of Director-General Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, has deployed Deputy Director-General Dr. Pakorn Tungkasereerak and Dr. Naresrit Khadthasima to Hat Yai. They are accompanied by SEhRT teams from five health centers to establish a comprehensive post-flood environmental sanitation recovery system. The teams are focusing their efforts on hospitals, shelters, and public spaces, utilizing a “green-yellow-red” sanitation risk assessment model to inform daily reports to the command center, which will facilitate urgent problem-solving strategies.
During a recent site visit, it was observed that a significant volume of waste had accumulated, with most household items rendered unusable. The SEhRT team, in close coordination with local authorities, has set up waste collection points and is expediting the collection process to eliminate any residual waste. This initiative is crucial in mitigating the risk of serious diseases such as leptospirosis, diarrhea, and skin infections, while also offering protection against disease vectors like flies, rats, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. The Department of Health has distributed protective gear such as face masks, gloves, rubber shoes, and cleaning agents like disinfectant, chlorine, and alum to the community for safe cleaning practices.
The Department is advising residents to disinfect and ventilate their homes to prevent mold growth. Additionally, there is a directive for prompt cleaning of marketplaces prior to reopening, emphasizing the sanitation of floors, food stalls, bathrooms, and drainage systems to ensure public safety. Special attention is being given to vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and pregnant women, to ensure their safety and well-being in both shelters and flood-affected homes.