Songkran blood donations needed : 7 Apr 2011 People urged to donate blood during Songkran BANGKOK, 7 April 2011 (NNT) – The National Blood Center of the Thai Red Cross Society has called for blood donations in order to fill in the depleting blood reserves necessary for use during the upcoming long holidays of Songkran.According to National Blood Center Director Medical Doctor Soisa-ang Pikulsod, the center will organize a 9-day campaign encouraging people to donate blood from 9 to 17 April 2011 at the National Blood Center on Henri Dunant Road in Bangkok.
The center must find at least 1,500 units of blood daily while keeping a minimum of 3,000 units in reserves per day in order to meet demands of patients in all hospitals. Blood demands during Songkran Festival are usually high due to frequent occurrences of road accidents.
23% of blood demands are from patients who need to receive blood throughout their life time such as those with Thalassemia and Haemophilia. The rest are for patients with cancer and heart diseases, surgery, child deliveries as well as emergency rooms for victims of accidents.
Each blood donor participating in the project will be given a T-shirt screened with the sentence ‘I am a blood donor.’ Apart from the center in Bangkok, interested donors can participate in the project at five regional offices in Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Songkhla, Ubon Ratchathani and Phuket.
Further information can be enquired by dialing 02-256-4300, 02-263-9600-99 Ext 1101 or
www.redcross.or.th.
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Hospitals ordered to prepare for Songkran road accidents BANGKOK, 7 April 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has asked all hospitals nationwide to stay alert around the clock to deal with emergency cases during Songkran Festival, which is likely to begin as early as 11 April 2011 and last until 17 April.Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit stated that he has assigned all 875 hospitals across the country to reserve blood and ensure that operation rooms and emergency wards are ready to handle frequent accidents during the Festival.
The minister added that 9,860 emergency medical teams are ready to be dispatched around the clock throughout the festival. He targeted that at least 80% of the emergency teams must reach scenes of accident within 15 minutes of each call, in order to rescue the victims in time.
Mr Jurin continued that the ministry this year has targeted to cut the injury and fatality rates by 5% compared with the figures last year when 361 people died and 3,802 others were injured. 20% of casualities were youth aged less than 25 years.
The minister announced that this year the ministry will enforce the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act in a stricter manner since alcohol claims over 40% of the total road accidents. He said checkpoints will be set up in 100 accident prone spots along highways as well.
--------------------------------------------Thailand Post keeps 23 spots in service during Songkran BANGKOK, 7 April 2011 (NNT) – Thailand Post will open 23 spots in order to provide postal services for customers during the long holiday of Songkran Festival from 13 to 17 April 2011.According to Thailand Post Marketing Communications Manager Parisa Pananond, nine post offices, 10 post counters and four Thailand Post shops will remain open, allowing people to use postal and financial services as well as purchase stamps and postal souvenirs.
Most of the spots opened are located in airports such as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hatyai and Udon Thani. The Suvarnabhumi branch will open around the clock.
Other post offices which will be opening during Songkran are in department stores such as Future Park Rangsit, Seacon Square, Central City Bangna, Central Rama II, Central World Plaza, Ayutthaya Park, Big C Lop Buri, the Mall Nakhon Ratchasima, Carrefour Udon Thani and others.
People using Express Mail Services (EMS) who want their packages delivered before Songkran holidays are advised to send their items by 10 April; otherwise, their packages will reach destinations by 18 April or after.
List of post offices and post counters as well as their operating hours can be checked at
www.thailandpost.co.th.
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