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Published on September 7, 2007

National Economic and Social Advisory Council member Parkpoom Witantirawat said the Public Health Ministry had to approve more midwives to take up some of the duties of doctors.

Parkpoom said villagers were being deeply affected by the extent of the violence in the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.

When they encountered a medical emergency, especially during the night, they were reluctant to venture out to a hospital to see a doctor, he told a seminar on the development of policy recommendations to improve the quality of life for Thais, held by the council.

Pakpoom said the government needed to improve the quality of traditional midwifery by upgrading medical skills to help patients in emergency situations at night.

The Health Ministry has been training traditional midwives for three years under the national healthcare scheme. But the training has only improved their skills in delivering babies and does not cover other primary health-care treatment, which is needed in the current situation.

"These days many cases are being referred to traditional midwives, but they no longer have the knowledge to take care of these patients," one academic at the seminar, who did not want to be named, said.

"We have to improve [their skills] and restore their capability to attend to these people."

Another problem that has arisen in the deep South because of the violence is the delay in providing emergency medical services, resulting in lives being put at risk.

A report from the seminar on healthcare services and other matters arising from the violence in the South will be submitted to the government.

Health deputy permanent secretary Dr Suwat Tientong said the ministry was trying to develop midwifery skills,

such as looking after mothers and babies before and after birth.

It is improving the emergency medical services in the three provinces by providing funds and communication equipment to ensure rapid response to accidents.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation