A BANGKOK HOSPITAL FINED 100,000 BAHT FOR TURNING AWAY INJURED PATIENTA

A BANGKOK HOSPITAL FINED 100,000 BAHT FOR TURNING AWAY INJURED PATIENTA

A private hospital in Bangkok, the Vibharam Hospital, has been fined 100,000 baht for refusing to treat a critically injured patient who later died from his injuries. It was the second time the hospital had turned away a fatally injured person.

Thai PBS World reports that the Emergency Medicine Committee fined the hospital for its failure to treat a policeman who was hit by a vehicle while working. The incident happened not far from the hospital in question.

According to witness accounts and other evidence presented to the EMC, the hospital twice refused a request from the EMT unit that was trying to bring the police officer in for treatment. The unit was left with no alternative but to take the officer to another hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The EMC concluded that as the patient was a critical emergency case, the hospital had a duty to treat him to the best of its capability. The committee also acknowledged that this was the second time the hospital had refused to treat a critically injured person.

In December last year, a Taiwanese tourist who was struck by a car while crossing the road was also refused treatment. He too had to be taken to another hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.