Flood Relief Efforts Get a Boost: SEhRT Team Deploys Essential Equipment Kits to Support Shelter Operations
Department of Health Sends SEhRT Team to Support Flood Victims in Chiang Rai Province
The Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, has dispatched a SEhRT team from Health Center No. 1, Chiang Mai, to Chiang Rai province to support officials in helping people affected by the floods. The team is providing health promotion and environmental health packages, as well as assistance and advice on food and water sanitation management for shelters.
Supporting Flood Victims with Essential Equipment and Services
Dr. Atchara Nithipinyasakul, Director General of the Department of Health, assigned Dr. Nongnuch Phatthanantanop, Deputy Director General of the Department of Health, to visit the affected area in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. The team provided over 3,000 pieces of equipment, including V-Clean sets, sanitation tool sets, DOH Testkit sets, paper toilets, bucket toilets, black bags, red bags, common household medicines, and equipment for dismantling and cleaning after the water recedes.
Implementing the 4S Principles for Environmental Health Management
The Department of Health is emphasizing the importance of adhering to the 4S principles for environmental health management in temporary shelter centers. These principles include:
- Survey: surveying the surrounding area to set up temporary shelter centers and determining the location of sanitation systems.
- System: assessing the availability of public utility systems, such as wastewater treatment systems, and ensuring that plumbing and electrical systems are ready for use.
- Sanitation management: determining areas where housing is not crowded, assigning zones to risk groups, and designating areas for healthy activities, such as breastfeeding areas and health screening areas.
- Surveillance: inspecting, monitoring, and paying attention to contamination of germs in food and water, and taking immediate action to address any issues.
SEhRT Team Conducts Assessments and Provides Advice on Environmental Health Management
Dr. Chanchai Pojamanwiput, Director of No. 1 Health Center, Chiang Mai, sent the SEhRT team to visit the temporary shelter center at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. The team provided advice on food and drinking water health management, sanitation, and sewerage, as well as waste management within evacuation centers.