THE SKY DOCTOR service flew a German tourist who had suffered a stroke on Koh Samui to Trang Hospital and saved his life, TV Channel 7 said this morning (Mar. 15).
At 11.15 a.m. yesterday National Institute of Emergency Medicine (NIEM) was asked by the Nerendthorn Centre on Koh Samui to send an aircraft to transport an unidentified 71-year-old German tourist from Koh Samui Hospital to Trang Hospital as he had suffered a stroke.
The tourist had sought treatment after symptoms of stiff tongue, unclear speech and weak limbs had set in. Preliminary CT scan revealed a blood clot in the cerebral artery with the patient urgently needing specialised treatment that exceeded Koh Samui Hospital’s capacity.
He might not have got timely treatment if he were sent to Trang Hospital by ferry and road.
After being contacted by Narenthorn Centre, Capt. Dr. Atchariya Pangma, NIEM’s secretary-general, approved the use of a helicopter to quickly transfer the tourist to Trang Hospital and coordinated with the Fourth Army Region to send one.
The Fourth Army’s helicopter with a medical team on board delivered the patient to Trang Hospital at 2.30 p.m. with the doctors there successfully saving his life.
NIEM’s Sky Doctor emergency service is available in all parts of the country to assist both both locals and tourists free of charge with the cost being covered by the Emergency Medical Fund.
CAPTION:
The German tourist who suffered a stroke being taken to Trang Hospital in an army helicopter. Photo: TV Channel 7
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