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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Elderly woman dies of Covid after being filmed pleading for help at home

    Elderly woman dies of Covid after being filmed pleading for help at home-edfc71b5-97dd-4f25-b260-40eece9074b4-jpeg

    An elderly woman who spent days suffering from Covid-19 at home apparently without medical help has died, local media reported on Friday, a day after a video of her pleas went viral.


    She was among three older women filmed in a clip posted on TikTok Thursday, saying they had been “waiting for days” at home without food or help.


    The video went viral amid increasing concern over a shortage of hospital beds around the country, and with the government calling for patience as many severe cases are being asked to wait at home for a bed to come available.


    In the video, the women are shown in their home in Bangkok, asking the public and government for assistance with their Covid symptoms. The video was shared across social media and local news agencies.


    News reports on Friday said that the women received medical help shortly after the video was filmed, but that one of patients, the woman seen lying on a bed in the video, had succumbed to the illness.


    Thailand reported a record number of coronavirus daily cases on Friday, with hospitals around the country facing a shortage of beds and ambulances. Currently, there are 1,423 infected patients waiting at home for hospital beds to become available nearby.


    There are only 1,000 beds available nationwide, set to run out in coming weeks at recent rates of infection.


    The death of the elderly woman sent shockwaves and sympathy throughout the internet, raising concerns over whether the latest coronavirus wave is getting more out of hand.


    “I want to ask the policy-makers here, what are you guys going to do now?” Drama-Addict, a famous Thai cultural page on Facebook, shared to its 2.5 million followers. “If you still can’t fix this, we will see more people dying at home like downpour.”


    The page’s administrators have created a thread for patients to share information while waiting for assistance at home, while the government scrambles to control the outbreak.


    Elderly woman dies of Covid after being filmed pleading for help at home - Thai Enquirer
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Elderly woman dies of Covid after being filmed pleading for help at home-edfc71b5-97dd-4f25-b260-40eece9074b4-jpeg  

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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  3. #3
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    If Covid gets out of hand in Thailand, I can see the government taking down these FB groups/pages.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    That story made me a bit angry. Three old women left to fend for themselves when it is obvious by their room condition that they are not capable of taking care of themselves. Where is their family? Why did the person who filmed this know about these women but letting them go without food. I mean, seriously, WTF?

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Where is their family? Why did the person who filmed this know about these women but letting them go without food. I mean, seriously, WTF?
    My thoughts exactly. WTF

    If you want to try to figure out where things may go, check out India. Disasterville.

    I think we are on the verge of a serious disaster in the world's 'third world" countries. In most countries in Africa the medical infrastructure is worse than it is in Thailand. Does not take a genius to figure out where things are going.
    A true diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a manner that you will be asking for directions.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Home death sparks outcry over bed shortages


    BANGKOK: The death of an 85-year-old while waiting at home to be admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment has sparked a public outcry over bed shortages for virus patients.

    The woman, who died on Thursday, was among six elderly members of a family living in a shop house in Bang Kholaem district of Bangkok struck by the virus, reports the Bangkok Post.


    Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday (Apr 23) said he was sorry for the death.


    Although insisting the Public Health Ministry is trying its best in working to coordinate COVID-19 hospital admissions with available beds, Mr Anutin promised the ministry will work harder to find space for those in most need.


    On Thursday, ‘Drama-addict’, a popular Facebook page run by a doctor, posted a plea by a relative of the family, who lives on Soi Charoen Rat 5, for help in finding hospital beds.


    Three of the six had already been sent to the hospital in an ambulance, while the other three, including the 85-year-old patient who later died, had been left at home, according to the Facebook page.


    The author later updated the post saying the 85-year-old had died and an ambulance was on its way to pick up the other two, who were 70 and 75 years old.


    “I’m not exaggerating. But this is exactly what happened in Italy in the first wave of Covid-19 there.


    “And as the healthcare system fails, not only those infected with Covid-19 will be dying but also other patients with critical health conditions,” wrote the Facebook page administrator.


    The body of the dead patient was transported for funeral arrangements immediately after the death on Thursday night, according to a source.


    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was alerted to the first COVID-19 infection in the family, an 89-year-old, before the Songkran holiday, said the source. It is unclear what action was taken.


    Netizens slammed authorities over the care given to the family and warned that unless action is taken, home deaths could follow the same sharp upward curve seen in other countries at similar stages of the outbreak.


    Home death sparks outcry over bed shortages

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    “I’m not exaggerating. But this is exactly what happened in Italy in the first wave of Covid-19 there.


    “And as the healthcare system fails, not only those infected with Covid-19 will be dying but also other patients with critical health conditions,” wrote the Facebook page administrator.
    Let's remember, this is the doctor*(cough) speaking.

    This story stinks from several angles. I'm still concerned about the way the caring family members handled the entire situation and feel a simpler effort without the cameras and drama may have well saved the life of the 85 yr. old deceased. Why the doctor who maintains the Facebook page would have taken the stance he has is another mystery.

    The story would be funny without the death involved.

  8. #8
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    i am amazed that there could be a bed shortage in thailand. some towns seem to have more hospitals than noodle shops.

    i assume that the bed shortage only applies to government hospitals, in which case the government should come to an arrangement with the private hospitals to (partially) take them over for non covid cases and free up space in government hospitals for covid cases.

    in the uk at the height of the crisis some hospital departments, where they were able to, decamped to private hospitals freeing up much needed ward space in nhs hospitals for dedicated covid treatment.

  9. #9
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    Thailand is hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with a national outbreak of the virus of the magnitude that has occurred elsewhere.

    It has not the equipment, the doctors or the the beds.

    It never had which is why, very sensibly, thy quarantined the country from the world back in April last year.

    But they've miscalculated terribly with the relaxation of the policy in permitting Songkran especially when they knew the third wave was engulfing Bangkok.

    Quite why they continue to dither and tinker with these stupid trivial covid measures instead of a full, national lockdown and cancellation of all non-Thai/resident inbound international air traffic is beyond comprehension.

    Do they want to kill all their senior citizens?

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    That story made me a bit angry. Three old women left to fend for themselves when it is obvious by their room condition that they are not capable of taking care of themselves. Where is their family? Why did the person who filmed this know about these women but letting them go without food. I mean, seriously, WTF?
    I don't think this is just a Covid related problem in Thailand, especially in the rural areas.

    At the moment one of my wife's uncles has been unable to keep anything down, not even tablets from the local doctor. The family took him to the local hospital but they wouldn't treat him, nor would they say what was wrong with him. It could be anything from severe gastroenteritis to stomach cancer. It has been a little over a week now since he kept anything down and is very weak. I doubt he will last much longer and there is very little the family can do. They don't want to take him to the private hospital as it's too far and they don't think he'll be admitted unless I am there in person. Life can be a bitch at times...

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    local hospital but they wouldn't treat him, nor would they say what was wrong with him
    I’ve seen it before. If they talked to the doctor on the side, they would probably find that he is unable to make a diagnosis with what he has to work with in the local hospital. Even if he could make the diagnosis, he wouldn’t have the knowledge to treat it.

    Going to another hospital is the only thing you can do.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
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    ^ Thanks, but they won't take him. This is one of those times where the only way is being there and taking control.

  13. #13
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Going to another hospital is the only thing you can do.
    Problem here in Roi Et we have 3 private hospitals but doctors are limited and there are very few specialists. Doctors rotate around from provincial hospital to private hospitals.

    Quite common villiage folks don't get a proper diagnosis or care and end up at home dying while family takes care of them.

    The much vaunted Thai health care system looks good on paper but in practice especially in the provinces isn't really much to crow about.

    Now with Covid it is near useless. Unless they have ready cash, folks are just told to go home and come back in a month. Good plan. Most don't last that long.
    "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect,"

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Quite common villiage folks don't get a proper diagnosis or care and end up at home dying while family takes care of them.
    I know. Those little local hospitals aren’t up to snuff on anything but the basics. And, yes, like Troy said, takes someone with a bit of clout to get someone treated at a better place. That’s on a good day with no COVID running rampant. Sad it is.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    The family took him to the local hospital but they wouldn't treat him
    Did they meet him outside or did they let him in before sending him home ?

    Did he have a test or did they test him for Covid ?


    I'm interested if Thailand has a disaster on their hands




    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    there are 1,423 infected patients waiting at home
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    There are only 1,000 beds available nationwide
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    , set to run out in coming weeks at recent rates of infection.
    So haven't they "run out" already, if these folks are waiting for a bed ?


    3 options here:

    I can't read

    Translation not perfect or

    WTF ?

  16. #16
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    From what I have seen over the years it won't take much for the government health system to be overwhelmed. Luckily we foreigners are all rich and we can afford the best treatment if necessary. I think it will be a long time in the future before the Wuhan China virus is under control. The situation bought to mind the words of a famous person...now deceased Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston S. Churchill

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    ^^ To answer helge, he was allowed in the hospital and saw a doctor. However, doctor either didn't know cause or unable to treat. No drip and no blood test but other details are vague. As far as I'm aware, little to no Covid in the area. I

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    This is one of those times where the only way is being there and taking control.
    So, why not get on with that? What is holding you back if you don't mind me asking.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
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    ^ um let me think...covid?

    We aren't going anywhere until we've been vaccinated.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Even though the old man may die.

    It sounds like you're the only one who could set the folks straight.

    But like I say Troy, non of my business.

  21. #21
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    A second cousin of my wife who lived in Surin had a son aged 13 years old. He became poorly, lost his appetite and had no energy. Despite repeated visits to the public hospital the diagnosis continued to elude the doctors who thought he was suffering from a jungle malady or an allergy. After several months the family pooled resources and got him down to Bangkok where they diagnosed fairly quickly he was suffering from leukaemia. He died.

    I have seen public hospitals pre-Covid in Surin and Chonburi. To my mind they were both operating to capacity and had no headroom left to deal with any 'shock' to their systems. In Surin I saw wards that were no more than futon-type beds in lobby areas between rooms and corridors - in Chonburi the daily surgery for GP consultations catered for over five hundred patients waiting in one large hall where the delay to see a doctor was several hours and resembled a casualty station after a large battle featuring patients from children to geriatrics lying prone on a gurney.

    To say that Thailand could cope with an outbreak of British, Italian, French or Spanish proportions is quite unrealistic.

    This junta better mobilise a national lockdown now before disaster strikes.

  22. #22
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    The real problem capacity aside is money, the best doctors don't stay around the boonies

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    ^ Thanks, but they won't take him. This is one of those times where the only way is being there and taking control.
    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    they don't think he'll be admitted unless I am there in person. Life can be a bitch at times...
    Quote Originally Posted by russellsimpson View Post
    So, why not get on with that? What is holding you back if you don't mind me asking.
    Quote Originally Posted by Troy
    ^ um let me think...covid?

    We aren't going anywhere until we've been vaccinated.
    Quote Originally Posted by russellsimpson View Post
    Even though the old man may die.

    It sounds like you're the only one who could set the folks straight.

    But like I say Troy, non of my business.
    JFC. He's said, multiple times that he is not in fucking Thailand you moron. He can't just pop down the road and help out, as he is not there.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    My apologies Troy.

    I'm new to the forum.

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