According to the Public Health Minister, copies of the 2009 flu prevention manual have already been distributed, but most people do not read them in detail; so they don’t know how to protect themselves from the disease.  Physicians also do not study the treatment manual provided to them.

On Aug 3, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai spoke to an audience of about 300 physicians, nurses and academics from various hospitals at a conference at the Maruay Hotel, and said that the flu epidemic was a challenge as the disease had spread throughout the country.

The Public Health Ministry has distributed copies of a prevention manual to the public, but it has been found that most people do not read it in detail.  So they do not know how properly to prevent the disease. 

‘Only 10% of physicians have read the manual.  Given the nature of the Thai people who prefer communication by word of mouth to reading for themselves, public health staff who meet the people in their work should do this job [of giving out information],’ said the Minister.

On the issue of the majority of private clinics in Bangkok not participating in the project to dispense the anti-viral Oseltamivir, Witthaya said that it was not a worry because the project was just at the initial stage, and efforts were being made in communicating with those involved.

His understanding was that those clinics refusing to participate in the project are afraid that it will be a burden to them.  He said that they should show social responsibility.  However, the clinics can decide whether to participate in the project on a voluntary basis.

He asked for cooperation from all clinics in immediately referring all cases of the 2009 flu to hospital.

The goal is to reduce fatalities and increase the public’s access to medicine, he said.