Thai health authority speeds up rehabilitation for southern bombing victims

BANGKOK, April 6 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health is speeding up rehabilitation for victims of recent southern bombings, as some 22 per cent of them being at risk of developing mental illnesses. The ministry's Department of Mental Health has found that about 22 per cent of people affected by the southern bombings are likely to develop mental illnesses, as they showed five symptoms, including frightened, paranoid and worried and suffering from insomnia and sadness and local health officials will be monitoring their conditions over the next six months. Thai Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Surawit Khonsomboon said on Friday that he has, therefore, ordered the Department of Mental Health to treat the victims well to prevent traumas, as individuals have different capabilities of coping with incidents. Dr. Surawit acknowledged that normally over 80 per cent of victims should adjust themselves within 1-3 months, but some people cannot and may develop mental illnesses, including depression, paranoia and mental disorder or turn to addictive substances. The deputy public health minister indicated that, as of April 3, rehabilitation programs had reached 125 people affected by the March 31 southern bombings, comprising 36 injured people, 19 relatives, 50 eyewitnesses, eight rescuers and 12 ordinary people, and that of the people, 22 per cent or 27 persons, were likely to develop mental illnesses, as most of them were at the bombing scenes. Besides, 18 per cent of rehabilitated children aged below 15 were also likely to develop mental problems and needed special care, prompting relevant officials to keep monitoring their conditions over the next six months. (TNA)