NE massacre aftermath: Three victims go home as extent of injuries and trauma for thousands explained. Thai Rath reported on comments by two of Thailand's leading health care officials after the shooting and stabbing massacre in Uthai Sawan, Nong Bualamphu last week that claimed 37 lives. ASEAN NOW

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on comments by two of Thailand's leading health care officials after the shooting and stabbing massacre in Uthai Sawan, Nong Bualamphu last week that claimed 37 lives.

 

The descriptions of the injuries and the mental health care required as the area begins to come to terms with the appalling atrocity brings the tragedy into even sharper focus, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Yesterday's press conference at the MoPH headquarters in Nonthaburi was given by health ministry official Dr Opas Karankawinpong and Dr Amporn Benjaphonphithak director-general of the department of mental health.

 

Dr Opas said that 3 of the ten people hospitalized with serious injuries after the incident have gone home.

 

Of the seven remaining under medical care five are in Nong Bualamphu Hospital.

 

These are:

 

1. A three year old boy who has had brain surgery to remove a clot. He is off a respirator now and breathing normally by himself. He is being closely monitored.

 

2. A four year old boy who has had two brain surgeries for blood clots. He's improving.

 

3. A 56 year old woman is also improving after brain surgery and now off a respirator.

 

4. A 42 year old woman with an abdominal injury and damage to her small intestine and a broken shin. She is recovering.

 

5. The 12 year old daughter of victim #4 who is with her mother to help with her mental health recovery.

 

There are two people in Udon Thani Hospital:

 

6. A three year old child who also had his skull opened to remove a brain clot. He is improving. 

 

7. A 21 year old man with spinal injuries who had a bullet removed. He is still on a respirator and undergoing physiotherapy and being monitored.

 

Dr Amporn said that 170 people were either injured, survived or are close relatives of victims. Of these 60 people are under the age of 18.

 

In the wider Uthai Sawan community there are 6,591 people closely affected by the incident including 129 children in two schools. 

 

They are going through three levels of mental health care comprising intensive work in the first two weeks followed by work to help with their mental scars and consequences in follow-up visits by mental health teams (MCATT) in the period up to 3 months from now.

 

Following the first 3 months this will entail follow-up programs for those in need of more mental health care. 

 

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