On May 13, 2024, Deputy Minister of Public Health Mr. Santi Prompat visited Hua Hin Hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to oversee government affairs during an official off-site Cabinet meeting. The visit, focusing on the Lower Central Provinces Group 2 (Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon), took place in the hospital’s 10th-floor meeting room and aimed to evaluate public health initiatives and safety policies for tourism in the region.
Mr. Santi was accompanied by local officials, including Prachuap Province Governor Mr. Somkid Chantaramruek, Hua Hin District Chief General Krit Puangwalaisin, Hua Hin Deputy Mayor Mr. Atichat Chaisri, Acting Director of Health Zone 5 Dr. Anukul Thaithanan, Prachuap Provincial Public Health Doctor Dr. Wara Selawattanakul, and Director of Hua Hin Hospital Dr. Jittarat Techawutthiporn. Medical personnel and other health officials were also present to welcome the Deputy Minister and his team.
During the meeting, Dr. Wara Selawattanakul provided an overview of the province’s public health system and outlined the Safe Tourist Policy, aimed at enhancing safety measures for visitors to Prachuap Province. Dr. Watcharapong Luangpairat, Acting Preventive Medicine Specialist at the Provincial Public Health Office, discussed ongoing efforts to improve health service delivery. Dr. Jittarat Techawutthiporn presented plans to upgrade services at Hua Hin Hospital, highlighting the hospital’s achievements and future goals.
Following the presentations, Mr. Santi and his team inspected local businesses supporting the safe tourist policy. Their first stop was the Hua Hin Market Village shopping center, where they visited an off-site vaccination service point and a Clean Food Good Taste-standard food court. General Manager of Hua Hin Market Village, Mr. Amornthep Uammeephan, and Hua Hin District Public Health Officer, Mr. Jenwit Phalisak, greeted the Deputy Minister.
At the shopping center, Mr. Santi awarded the SAN PLUS sign, a health promotion menu certification, and a HAS sign certifying clean toilets that meet health standards. The inspection continued at Baan Talay Hotel and Sleep Easy Hostel, where he presented the SAN PLUS / Wellness Hotel signs, recognizing these establishments for their commitment to health and wellness standards.
The Deputy Minister expressed admiration for the province’s public health system and its implementation of the safe tourist policy. He commended Hua Hin Hospital’s efforts to enhance health services but noted concerns about the limited number of medical personnel in some districts, with as few as three doctors in certain areas. Mr. Santi assured that the Ministry of Public Health would strive to address these staffing shortages and provide the necessary support in terms of budget and personnel.
Officials including Mr. Somkid Chantaramruek, General Krit Puangwalaisin, and Dr. Anukul Thaithanan, along with local stakeholders, participated in the day’s events, underscoring the collaborative efforts to promote health and wellness in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
