Last year before lockdown I went to Muscat, Oman, and my experience reinforced why Thailand is such a great place for medical tourism, or healthcare treatment in general.
We were staying at the W Hotel where a wedding was being held, and the bride wasn’t feeling 100% so we went to the concierge to see what could be done to help her. It wasn’t life threatening, but the girl wanted to be cared for by a medical professional to ensure that everything was fine, preferably at the hotel for her convenience. Essentially she was exhausted and all she wanted was an IV booster to give her energy.
Don’t get me wrong, the concierge team at the hotel was helpful, but because it was a Friday morning in a predominantly Islamic state (Friday, Jumuʿah in Arabic, is the holy day for Muslims. Jumuʿah comes from the same root word as gather and congregation. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special prayer in the afternoon called the Jumuʿah prayer. You can find more information about this here), the in house medical team of the hotel was off duty and everyone we tried to call was either not answering or not available.
As the concierge team didn’t have anyone in house to support, they recommended we call a few hospitals including Muscat Private Hospital. So the very helpful concierge staff dialed the hospital and when someone finally answered the person on the other end of the line said she will connect us to emergency as we called during prayer time and most of the staff including physicians were unavailable. We understood that and expected that because we were being put through to the ER that someone would answer our call within a few seconds, okay even a few minutes. Boy were we wrong. The concierge stayed on the line for almost 7 minutes and we were still on hold. At this point I told him to end the call and I will reach out to some of my own contacts in Muscat to see what can be done.
I got names of another hospital and two potential services which provide concierge/home care. The concierge at the W called all three numbers, and one was helpful. The person at the end of the line at the concierge care said they can arrange for an IV drip at the hotel if we can provide a doctor’s note recommending it. As we didn’t have access to a doctor at that time, we asked if she could suggest a doctor we could speak to that would be willing to come see the patient. She gave us a couple numbers but it was Friday afternoon so no one answered our calls. By now it had been more than two hours since we tried to find a solution for this dear girl and we hadn’t made any progress.
I called my friend who lives in Muscat and she said the best thing to do would be to take her to the hospital and a doctor will treat her there. Luckily the girl had enough energy at this time to sit in a car for thirty minutes to get to the hospital. Once she reached the facility the service was great and she received the IV drip that she wanted and she felt better.
After all this, I had a chat with my friend who said it is these experiences that result in outbound medical tourism from Muscat to places like Bangkok. Had this situation occurred in Bangkok, we at Enliven would have been able to sort it out within an hour. Yes, it is true that we have the network here to make it happen, but it is also true that if you called the ER at one of the top JCI accredited hospitals in Bangkok it is extremely unlikely that you would have to wait more than 7 minutes for someone to take your call. Bangkok is accessible to all for medical care and we at Enliven are here to service you 24/7.
Written by Devi Bajaj Founder and Director of Enliven Health Concierge
My husband and I recently watched a docuseries on Netflix called “Pandemic,” where in one episode the focus is on a community of people who are anti-vaccination and it really irked me. This week’s blog post is to educate you on the facts about the importance of vaccines.
Below is video about a boy who decided to get vaccinated even though his mother thought it may make him autistic. He makes a good point when he says, “I never was rude towards my mother, and even in public settings where I expressed how her beliefs were misinformed, I said that she was a loving mother, and that’s important to understand … Because a lot of people, I think, in the scientific community that understand why vaccines are so important, can really be confused by someone who would not vaccinate. Really, we can compare it to someone not taking their child to the ER. That’s a very dangerous situation to be in and it shows some lack of empathy towards your children in some regards. And really, I can understand that, I can. But my mom, she was misinformed and misled by sources that convinced her that if she was a loving parent, she wouldn’t vaccinate.”
Before we get deep into the discussion, let’s first define vaccinations: “The body’s immune system helps protect against pathogens that cause infection. Most of the time, it’s an efficient system. It either keeps microorganisms out or tracks them down and gets rid of them. However, some pathogens can overwhelm the immune system. When this happens, it can cause serious illness. The pathogens most likely to cause problems are the ones the body doesn’t recognize. Vaccination is a way to “teach” the immune system how to recognize and eliminate an organism. That way, your body is prepared if you’re ever exposed. Vaccinations are an important form of primary prevention. That means they can protect people from getting sick.” (https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations)
History of Vaccines “Vaccines save lives. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in the history of public health. Since its discovery, immunization has been credited for saving an estimated 9 million lives a year. To better understand the impact of vaccines, let’s look at smallpox. Smallpox is among the most devastating diseases in human history. For thousands of years it plagued civilizations from around the globe, from ancient Egypt where evidence of the disease was found on the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses V, to 18th century Europe where persistent and violent outbreaks killed about 20-30% of those infected. During the colonization of the Americas, that number is estimated to assort nearly 90% among indigenous people who had never been exposed before.
Eradication of Smallpox via Vaccinations
The disease itself was particularly agonizing, beginning with a headache and fever, progressing into a painful rash that soon swelled into puss joules. Those fortunate enough to survive were often left blind or infertile, and almost always badly scarred. Fortunately, thanks to extensive vaccination, the last naturally ocurring case was in 1977, and in 1980 the World Health Assembly officially declared that smallpox had been eradicated calling it an unprecedented achievement in the history of public health. So far, smallpox is the only human disease to have been completely eradicated.
Anti-Vaccination Development
Though vaccines have gone a long way to prevent the widespread suffering and death associated with many diseases, polio for example has become increasingly rare in the United States. However, cases of measles are increasing rather than decreasing. In 2008 the CDC received reports of 134 cases of Measles. In spite of the fact that Endemic Measles were eliminated in the US in 2000. This is the consequence of an unsettling anti-vaccination trend, largely stemming from a study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield. Wakefield’s study reported linked the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine with autism. This study however was at best poorly conducted and at worst outright fraudulent. Numerous studies have since refuted Wakefield’s claims, and Wakefield himself has been stripped of his medical license, but for some the fear however unfounded, remains.
World Health Organization’s Six Common Misconceptions About Immunization:
Q&A About Vaccines from the World Health Organization
Why should I get vaccinated?
Without vaccines, we are at risk of serious illness and disability from diseases like measles, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus and polio. Many of these diseases can be life-threatening. WHO estimates that vaccines save between 2 and 3 million lives every year. Although some diseases may have become uncommon, the germs that cause them continue to circulate in some or all parts of the world. In today’s world, infectious diseases can easily cross borders, and infect anyone who is not protected Two key reasons to get vaccinated are to protect ourselves and to protect those around us. Because not everyone can be vaccinated – including very young babies, those who are seriously ill or have certain allergies – they depend on others being vaccinated to ensure they are also safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.
What diseases do vaccines prevent?
Vaccines protect against many different diseases, including:
Cervical cancer
Cholera
Diphtheria
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Japanese encephalitis
Measles
Meningitis
Mumps
Pertussis
Pneumonia
Polio
Rabies
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tetanus
Typhoid
Varicella
Yellow fever
Some other vaccines are currently under development or being piloted, including those that protect against Ebola or malaria, but are not yet widely available globally. Not all of these vaccinations may be needed in your country. Some may only be given prior to travel, in areas of risk, or to people in high-risk occupations.
When should I get vaccinated (or vaccinate my child)?
Vaccines protect us throughout life and at different ages, from birth to childhood, as teenagers and into old age. In most countries you will be given a vaccination card that tells you what vaccines you or your child have had and when the next vaccines or booster doses are due. It is important to make sure that all these vaccines are up to date. If we delay vaccination, we are at risk of getting seriously sick. If we wait until we think we may be exposed to a serious illness – like during a disease outbreak – there may not be enough time for the vaccine to work and to receive all the recommended doses.
Why does vaccination start at such a young age?
Young children can be exposed to diseases in their daily life from many different places and people, and this can put them at serious risk. The WHO-recommended vaccination schedule is designed to protect infants and young children as early as possible. Infants and young children are often at the greatest risk from diseases because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, and their bodies are less able to fight off infection. It is therefore very important that children are vaccinated against diseases at the recommended time.
Who can get vaccinated?
Nearly everyone can get vaccinated. However, because of some medical conditions, some people should not get certain vaccines, or should wait before getting them. These conditions can include: Chronic illnesses or treatments (like chemotherapy) that affect the immune system; Severe and life-threatening allergies to vaccine ingredients, which are very rare; If you have severe illness and a high fever on the day of vaccination. These factors often vary for each vaccine. If you’re not sure if you or your child should get a particular vaccine, talk to your health worker. They can help you make an informed choice about vaccination for you or your child.
What is in a vaccine?
All the ingredients of a vaccine play an important role in ensuring a vaccine is safe and effective. Some of these include:
The antigen. This is a killed or weakened form of a virus or bacteria, which trains our bodies to recognize and fight the disease if we encounter it in the future.
Adjuvants, which help to boost our immune response. This means they help vaccines to work better.
Preservatives, which ensure a vaccine stays effective.
Stabilisers, which protect the vaccine during storage and transportation.
Vaccine ingredients can look unfamiliar when they are listed on a label. However, many of the components used in vaccines occur naturally in the body, in the environment, and in the foods we eat. All of the ingredients in vaccines – as well as the vaccines themselves – are thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure they are safe.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccination is safe and side effects from a vaccine are usually minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever. More serious side effects are possible, but extremely rare. Any licensed vaccine is rigorously tested across multiple phases of trials before it is approved for use, and regularly reassessed once it is introduced. Scientists are also constantly monitoring information from several sources for any sign that a vaccine may cause health risks. Remember, you are far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine. For example, tetanus can cause extreme pain, muscle spasms (lockjaw) and blood clots, measles can cause encephalitis (an infection of the brain) and blindness. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can even result in death. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks, and many more illnesses and deaths would occur without vaccines.
Are there side effects from vaccines?
Like any medicine, vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever, or pain or redness at the injection site. Mild reactions go away within a few days on their own. Severe or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare. Vaccines are continually monitored for safety, to detect rare adverse events.
Is there a link between vaccines and autism?
There is no evidence of any link between vaccines and autism or autistic disorders. This has been demonstrated in many studies, conducted across very large populations. The 1998 study which raised concerns about a possible link between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism was later found to be seriously flawed and fraudulent. The paper was subsequently retracted by the journal that published it, and the doctor that published it lost his medical license. Unfortunately, its publication created fear that led to dropping immunization rates in some countries, and subsequent outbreaks of these diseases. We must all ensure we are taking steps to share only credible, scientific information on vaccines, and the diseases they prevent.
In Summary, vaccines do not cause autism. They do not poison children, and they are not a money-making medical scheme. Vaccines are an imperative part of public health. From measles to meningitis, smallpox to HPV, countless lives and communities have been spared the suffering and death associated with varied diseases since the creation of the first vaccine just 200 years ago so if you haven’t already, go get vaccinated.
Information shared by Devi Bajaj Executive Director of Enliven Concierge
Below are links to some articles related to the information above:
Tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background?
My father served in the U.S. military for nearly 30 years, so I was raised in a military family, spent almost 8 years growing up in Europe and then in several US states. I started my healthcare management career in 1978 in Pennsylvania. In two separate instances, I worked in a number of various management roles for a combined 22 years with BlueCross & BlueShield of South Carolina. Bisecting my work with the Blues, I worked for 15 years in hospital management and was the CEO of three different facilities – all in America.
How did you get into medical tourism?
I got involved in the medical tourism field quite by accident. I traveled to Bangkok in 2006 after having never been in Asia before. I spent all 5 days of my holiday “behind the scenes” at Bumrungrad International Hospital and was totally amazed at the quality, service, and safety measures that I witnessed. When I returned to Blue Cross after this vacation, I was asked to launch a new company within BCBSSC to assist with the facilitation of insured members abroad. So Companion Global Healthcare, Inc. was born. I served as President & Chief Operating Officer of Companion Global for the next 10 years. Long story short, I have been involved in disruptive innovation in healthcare from the jump. I enjoy fixing and improving services. I “retired” from my second career in healthcare on 30 June as Chief Business Transformation Officer.
What are your thoughts on the way Thailand has been handling the pandemic?
I think that Thailand has done an exceptional job with COVID-19. Recall that we were the first country outside of China that reported a case. Though the Thai government quickly implemented lockdown measures, let us be reminded that we had a couple of distinct advantages: First, people in Thailand do not shake hands, we wai. This eliminates a potential mode of transmission. Second, asking the citizenry to wear masks was not viewed negatively, since many local Bangkok residents would regularly wear masks due to poor air quality. Overall, Thailand has had 3,197 COVID-positive patients, 3,074 of whom have recovered, and only 58 deaths.
How has the pandemic affected medical tourism, particularly at Bumrungrad?
The COVID-19 has affected almost all businesses worldwide. While a small percentage of businesses have thrived, the vast majority of businesses across the globe have been negatively impacted. Over half of the 1.1 million patients Bumrungrad treats annually are non-Thai travelers, so the hospital is keen to have borders and international airports reopen.
What does the future of healthcare, particularly medical tourism look like to you?
I continue to be very bullish on cross-border medical care – especially to the top tier of SE Asian hospitals who attract large numbers of travelers. There is clearly pent-up demand of patients interested in visiting their hospital and doctors of choice.
What measures should medical facilities take to ensure patient and staff safety?
I think much of this question will be answered by the governments’ public health entities across the region. Clearly, hospitals want to ensure the safety of all caregivers, patients, and family members. If governmental agencies mandate a negative COVID-19 test prior to travel, limited quarantine, etc. then hospitals will conform. Most tertiary medical centres, like Bumrungrad, use universal precautions, and I am confident that will continue. Bumrungrad started disinfecting patient rooms and adjacent areas with robotics a few months ago. Both my wife and myself have been elective patients at Bumrungrad over the past two months and we were worry-free.
What will it take for medical travel to start again? How long do you think the market will take to rebound?
Obviously, legally-sanctioned open borders is the immediate key. Though there is pent-up demand, I believe a full recovery will still take a few months.
Has the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) been supportive of medical tourists?
Yes, very much so. But all of the private Thai hospitals involved in medical tourism are awaiting clear direction and protocols from the government to proceed. Hopefully, this will be forthcoming in the near term.
Everyone is talking about telemedicine these days. What are your thoughts on telemedicine?
I have been bullish on telemedicine in Thailand since I moved here in early June, 2018. Bumrungrad jumped into direct-to-consumer telemedicine in May, 2019 with the Bumrungrad Anywhere app and I’m glad that we did. The advent of COVID-19 accelerated the expansion of telemedicine into pre- and post-surgery teleconsultation, along with the expansion from primary/urgent care to over 30 specialties.
How effective do you think the shift to telemedicine will be?
The shift has already happened. Think about it…We live in what I refer to as an “instaculture” today. Most of us are accustomed to pushing a button and getting a movie (Netflix or Amazon), a ride-share car or motocy (Grab), a meal (Food Panda), a free phone call to anywhere on earth (What’sApp), etc. As consumers, we all expect immediacy. Telemedicine fits that sweetspot!
What advice do you have for professionals in the healthcare and medical tourism industry?
We are living in unusual times. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic in most of our lives. We need to be planners and we need to be patient.
Is there anything else you want to share with us?
In adversity always comes opportunity – if we are open to what those opportunities are! Necessity truly can be the mother of invention…it is important for all of us to have our eyes wide open and look for ways of doing things differently.
Thank you so much for your time and insight, David! I’m sure your answers will help everyone that reads this feel confident in the future of medical tourism.
Interview led by Devi Bajaj Founder & Director of Enliven Health Concierge
As mentioned in our previous blog post (which you can read here), Thailand has done a stellar job at containing #covid19, but now it’s time to think about what’s going to happen next. As 30% of Thailand’s GDP depends on tourism, everyone is wondering when tourists will be back. Below is our our interview with Kevin Beauvais, CEO and Founder of InVision Hospitality, on the future of hospitality and tourism.
Tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background?
I have been in the hospitality industry for more than 35 years, starting as a part-time van driver with Marriott International. My wife, Therese, and I arrived in Thailand in 1997. Prior to starting InVision Hospitality 13 years ago, I served as Thailand Country Manager for Marriott, overseeing the expansion of the brand in Thailand. I celebrated 25 years of service with this hospitality powerhouse and will be forever grateful of the teachings and foundation it provided me. I moved on in 2003, to become Chief Operating Officer for Minor hotel group. During this time, I oversaw the development and expansion of Anantara hotels in Thailand and the Maldives, as well as the Mandara Spa division (now Anantara Spa). I served on both the Board of Directors for Minor International PCL and Rajadamri Hotel PCL, intimately involved in the design development and opening of the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Chiang Rai.
What are your thoughts on the way Thailand has handled the pandemic?
On the global bell curve for overall handling of the coronavirus, Thailand has done well in these unprecedented times. There are many dissenting voices and different points of view on what should or should not have been done, but this was an extraordinary situation that was wiping out entire swathes of industry and changing minute by minute. That would be almost impossible to plan for or know what the right move should be, so I give a little slack on this. I recently read a National Geographic article highlighting Thailand as one of the countries that handled the pandemic well. For any of your interested readers, here is the link: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/06/look-inside-thailand-prevented-coronavirus-gaining-foothold/.
What is the current situation like at InVision Hospitality?
Honestly, we are as stressed out as everybody else. How could we not be? But, we are also steady, focusing forward and determined. The reality is that cash is king in any major downturn. Closing out year 2019 with strong profit levels has allowed us to maintain almost our entire team and therefore able to support and advise our owners as they navigate this very difficult time. Fortunately (and unfortunately), my team and I have been through many crisis’ in Thailand’s past and have learned what we need to do immediately in order to quickly adapt.
What will it take for travel to start again? How long do you think the market will take to rebound?
Unfortunately, my crystal ball is out of batteries at the moment, so I can’t foretell what will happen in the future – as much as I wish I could! A strengthening domestic and limited international arrivals is anticipated for Q4 2020. If we see 50% of the volume of 2019, that would be great. Looking forward for the whole of 2021 (assuming there is no onslaught of the virus that sets the global economy back even further), I’d be overjoyed if we could reach 70% of 2019 business levels.
How will travel change as a result of the pandemic?
Short term, there will be strong travel contractions and people will stay close to “home”, which is why all hotels are currently focused on domestic markets until international flights reopen, and travelers regain confidence in the hygiene and safety of the airline industry. What I do know, with certainty, is that we are all in this together. We need to remember this fact and help each other the best we can by remaining patient with our partner industries, the government, suppliers and colleagues as we work through the learning curve.
Will travel ever go back to normal once all this is over?
Yes. I believe in the resilience of the human spirit and our need for connectedness and desire to learn about destinations unknown. We have a need to explore and enrich ourselves with all the wonderful sights, sounds and cultures the world has to offer. I also have faith and confidence in the global scientific and medical communities that they will find a vaccine and sustainable protocol for us to remain safe and healthy in the future.
What measures are you taking for your properties to ensure guest and staff safety?
As we prepare to reopen 9 hotels and launch 4 new properties in Thailand and Vietnam, this enhancement is ongoing and multi-faceted. As I highlighted in a recent public message distributed through InVision’s website and social media, a big part of the reopening process involves complying with all government regulations, including applying for the SHA health certification and utilizing the Thai Chana QR tracking for all arrivals. We are implementing the specialized InSpired Health Promise hygiene standards and sanitation procedures to help keep our guests comfortable, healthy and safe during their stay. Additional guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) helps define our actions.
Will hotel/airline rates skyrocket once this all over (to make up for losses)?
Airline rates – yes. Low cost carriers and regional carriers will have some good opportunity here, as they will be more flexible and adaptable than the larger international carriers and struggling national carrier, Thai Airlines. Hotels will not be able to employ the same strategy. The decreased demand and oversupply in Thailand and SE Asia will keep us all carefully managing our costs, while still driving our unique selling points and offering well devised value-ads until the demand increases to previous levels that allow us to manage the rate mix more positively.
What does the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have planned for bringing back tourists?
The current domestic campaign, “Travel from Home with Amazing Thainess” is great to revive interest and encourage local travel, but the recent statement released by the TAT suggesting their future focus on predominantly high-end tourists is silly and not based in reality. Thailand is not a small island or protected nation, such as Bhutan, that can be hyper-selective in their targeted demographic. The foreign and local investment in Thailand is massive and covers all types of hotels, spas, restaurants and other tourism related industries. A balanced approach to help support ALL segments is required for sustainable growth, not only the high-end and luxury markets.
When do you think tourism will pick up for Thailand/SE Asia?
I believe we will see a slow and gradual growth in Q4 2020 that will continue steadily through 2021.
How are hotels going to cope with the loss of MICE revenue?
This is Déjà vu for Thailand and not the first time MICE has been disrupted. Although MICE business is good business when it’s “On”, but it is also a behemoth to get turned back around once it is moved elsewhere or switched “Off”. For now, the big properties who have 300-1,000 rooms will refocus on leisure business to fill up and drive revenue. This challenge is a big part of my TAT comment above, who will fill these massive properties if not busloads of midscale and 4 star tourists? Surely not a private jet with 6 luxury tourists at a time.
What advice do you have for hoteliers and people in the hospitality industry?
Stay calm, think clearly and act decisively. Keep your expectations of rate, occupancy and revenue tempered. By planning for the worst and looking at your overhead with minimum revenue levels, you will clearly see the path and know where the ‘line’ is for your business. You can survive this and you can actually thrive in the end! But it will take an internal strength and calmness that will be supported by your industry knowledge and professional experience.
Is there anything else you want to share with us?
22 years ago I thought there was no better place to be than Southeast Asia. Today, I have an equal amount of exuberance and faith in the potential for the travel and tourism recovery throughout Southeast Asia, and our dominance in it.
Thank you so much for your time and insight, Kevin! I’m sure your answers will help everyone that reads this feel confident in the future of tourism and hospitality in Southeast Asia.
Interview led by Devi Bajaj Founder & Director of Enliven Health Concierge
Majority of people in Thailand have been so proud of the way our country has handled #covid19, and although credit is due where it’s deserved, there is a large issue at hand that we need to address: Mental Health. My sister (thanks Didi! To read her blog post on the issue entitled Strengthening Connections for At-Risk Women and Children during COVID-19, click here) sent me a link from NPR entitled The Cost Of Thailand’s Coronavirus Success: Despair … And Suicide, and this post will be taking excerpts from this article as I believe it is so important to address this.
“The case and death rates from COVID-19 in Thailand are among the world’s lowest, with about 3,100 confirmed cases and 58 deaths, as of Thursday (June 11th). Thai epidemiologists say their health care system — one of the finest in the world — had a major role to play. So did a strict lockdown.”
As someone who works in healthcare in Thailand, this part of the article truly does make me proud. Our medical system has never been overwhelmed as a result of covid19. This is because we are a medical tourism hub, so we always have enough beds for Thai citizens, residents, and foreigners that fly in for care and treatments. Also it is definitely true that the quickly enforced lockdown with a curfew plays a part in the success. The government shut the airports without much notice, which prohibited non-citizens to fly in. The day the lockdown happened I had several calls and messages from my colleagues and friends in neighboring countries asking if there is any way we could arrange an air ambulance or emergency flight for them to come to Bangkok because everyone knows that this is a great place to be if you need medical attention. Unfortunately for them, they had to stay where they were as our country was reserving our resources for our people.
Although covid19 was managed well, it is sadly true that “the measures to contain the virus have also caused mass disruptions as the economy came to a sudden stop. In Thailand, many of the economy’s most crucial sectors have been severely restricted by the lockdown. Construction sites, offices and massage parlors were shut down. Tourism, which makes up 20 percent of the national GDP, collapsed as international borders closed and airlines were grounded. Manufacturing makes up another 30 percent of GDP; factories were shuttered for the lockdown, and exports will struggle to rebound as global trade remains uncertain … To offset the economic hardship from the lockdown, the government launched a financial aid program in March that disburses 5,000 baht, or $150, a month for three months to people whose incomes have been affected. Nearly 29 million Thais applied. After several expansions of the fund, by mid-May, about 16 million had started receiving the monthly stipend or were close to getting it. But the delays and rejections have left some in desperation. In April, a woman drank rat poison outside the Ministry of Finance to protest the long application process to receive the 5,000 baht aid. She survived. A man who picketed to protest outside the ministry died by suicide four days later.”
Financial stress is real, and it can lead to mental health problems. There are millions of daily wage workers in Thailand, and as a result of covid19, these people were all out of jobs. In simple terms, this means they could not earn to feed their families.
This is why “Dr. Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, a psychiatrist and spokesperson for the mental health department of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, says that now the threat of COVID-19 is under control, the government is faced with a different public health challenge: “The next wave of the problem will be mental health.
Somchai Preechasilpakul, an associate professor of law at Chiang Mai University who researches the impact of government policies on the urban poor, criticized the government response for its slow disbursement – while some received the aid within a couple of weeks, others were left waiting for a month or more — and the uncertainty around who would qualify for the aid and who wouldn’t. A system that automatically distributed the 5,000 baht aid to Thai workers (and allowed those who didn’t need it to opt out), Preechasilpakul said, would have allowed more people to receive the aid more quickly. Instead, the existing system tangled millions in bureaucratic red tape, even as their bills piled up and some struggled to afford their next meals. Delays and rejections heaped stress upon uncertainty for Thailand’s poorest. He said the coronavirus response has not succeeded if people are dying by suicide. “It’s a failure of the system,” Preechasilpakul said. Preechasilpakul is a part of research team that published a report at the end of April that found that of the more than 80 suicide attempts they reviewed in April, 44 were related to hardships caused by the economic lockdown.”
I completely agree with Khun Preechasilpakul and sympathize with those affected, especially after reading this anecdote: “Apinya Thamniyon, 53, a taxi driver, sat, weary and hunched into his light blue uniform, his loose black trousers gathered around his waist. The day before, the landlord threatened his wife with eviction because they were two months behind on their rent. If he misses another payment on his taxi, that, too, will be taken away. With the city at a near standstill, he was making as little as 150 baht ($4.70) a day — far less than what he needed to cover gas, the taxi rental and basic expenses — and some days nothing at all. Before the lockdown, he could expect to make as much as 1,000 baht ($31) a day. He found out that day that his application was canceled, with no explanation, and was told to reapply.
Thailand controlled the spread of coronavirus in part because of a vast network of over 1 million village health volunteers, who went door to door, checking temperatures, dispensing public health advisories and dispelling misinformation. At night, they sewed masks and, in the mornings, distributed them to their neighbors. Now, says Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, of the mental health department, the same volunteers will get basic training to recognize stress, burnout and anxiety in their neighbors. If one of their neighbors is exhibiting signs of possible depression or dangerous suicide ideation, they will refer them to mental health nurses, social workers or the local psychiatrist, there’s at least one in each of Thailand’s provinces.
The mental health department launched a program in May to help Thai people navigate the mental health crisis. It includes a prevention plan it called the “mind vaccine,” meant to provide guidelines for communities to build mental resilience and find ways to tailor activities to their community’s challenges.
Effective approaches and activities, Chotpitayasunondh emphasized, will be different in each community in Thailand, but the program sends the message that the mental health crisis is real, and it should be faced head-on.”
I request everyone who reads this post to acknowledge that mental health is a real issue, and to take action by checking in on your loved ones including friends, family, and staff. Those that are suffering with their mental health may not know how to ask for help, so do your part by staying connected and offering support to anyone and everyone that you can.
Information Compiled by and Opinions of Devi Bajaj Founder & Director of Enliven Health Concierge
Resources
To read the full NPR article that’s quoted above, click here
I knew that our latest blog post would need to be about what’s happening in the world now, post the death of #GeorgeFloyd but I needed to take a few days to get a grasp on the deep rooted issue which is that these recent murders are a reminder that it has never been safe to be black in America. There is so much information out there, I had to sift through it and speak to some dear friends that live in the US to truly understand what’s going on, and what needs to be done.
There are a variety of messages out there, but based on my conversations, the main one is that it’s not a time just for solidarity, we have to go beyond that at this point. Taking a knee is not enough. Putting up a black square on instagram is not enough. We need to self reflect and then figure out what action we can take in our own personal lives to change the way things are in the world.
Now, there are different levels of what needs to be done, but what we as a global society need to understand, is that all of us need to be a part of this movement, it’s on us as humanity to change the situation and improve it. A friend of mine, Hrishikesh Kumar (a physician in Los Angeles), said “Kneeling is healing only with consistent commitment and informed reform.” It may be a loaded sentence, but in actuality it’s completely true because if you don’t participate you’re complicit.
So, what do action do we need to take?
Become more informedabout the structure of local government. Understand what the roles of the elected officials are, andvote for people that will take measurable actions to improve the situationbecause “eventually, aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices — and in a democracy, that only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.” (President Barack Obama)
Endorse organizations on the front lines of social justice that align with your way of thinking.For example, you can sign this petition calling for the end of police violence against Black people.
Find the mental health and trauma support you need.In the words of Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of the Nation’s Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “While there is much we need to do to address racism in our country, we must not forget the importance of mental health as we do so. The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored. Racism is a public health crisis” and we need to provide as much support to the community as we can. This link provides a variety of mental health resources from NAMI.
It may seem that until now this post has been focused on what the US is dealing with, but racism really is a worldwide pandemic, because we live in a world that is controlled by skin color. To name a few places, it’s evident in the US, in Africa, in Thailand, and in India.
A friend (thank you, Reshem!), shared Abhay Deol’s instagram post with me and it resonates with me. I’ve pasted it below for your reference, and you can also click here to see it. “Now that ‘woke’ Indian celebrities and the middle class stand in solidarity with fighting systemic racism in America, perhaps they’d see how it manifests in their own backyard? America has exported violence to the world, they have made it a more dangerous place, it was but inevitable that it would come back karmically. I’m not saying they deserve it, I’m saying look at the picture in it’s totality. I’m saying support them by calling out the systemic problems in your own country, because they turn out to be one and the same thing. I’m saying follow their lead but not their actions. Create your own actions, your own movement, relevant to your own country.”
Oh and also, everyone should watch this video of Hassan Minhaj.
Now let’s get to work, locally and globally.
Written by Devi Bajaj Founder & Director, Enliven Health Concierge
