Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Authorities said a recent investigation found that more than 100 uncertified nurses and doctors were working with various companies in Thailand.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about this investigation.
A task force on September 10 raided a company in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district on suspicion that it was supplying uncertified nurses to factories and businesses in the province. A factory with 200 or more staff is required to provide an in-house nurse, a bed and basic medicine for its workers.
The raid at Kittiwara Karnphaet Co. followed factory inspections assisted by health authorities in Phra Pradaeng and Phra Samut Jedi districts.
It turned out that many businesses employed uncertified nurses and assistants, and Kittiwara Karnphaet Co. was implicated as a supplier.
COMPANY RAID
The raid at Kittiwara Karnphaet Co. involved local police, provincial public health authorities, soldiers and consumer protection activists. The task force found a list of more than 100 nurses and doctors supplied to 25 businesses in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and some eastern provinces.
ILLEGAL SUPPLIES
Also seized during the raid were medical devices and medicines. Rangsan Wongboonnak, a pharmacist attached to the provincial consumer protection office, said the confiscated medicines include antibiotics, cough syrup and medication for treating flatulence. He said a staff member who was questioned during the raid told authorities that the company is owned by Napongpat Wattanapongporn, and that the company supplies doctors and nurses to businesses and sells drugs to factories.
ONGOING INVESTIGATION
Rangsan said that Napongpat was not present during the raid. He contacted authorities to tell them he would submit various documents needed for their probe.
Rangsan added that the company was initially charged with selling medicine without a licence — a charge that is subject to a fine of 10,000 baht and a five-year jail sentence. He noted that other charges related to supplying businesses with unqualified nurses would be considered following a more detailed investigation.
Samut Prakan provincial health chief Asadang Ruay-ajin said health authorities would inspect businesses in Samut Prakan to see if they hire certified nurses and assistants. He said an initial check revealed that Kittiwara Karnphaet Co. has no licence to sell or supply medicines.
Exercises
Read the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Rangsan Wongboonnak is a pharmacist.
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2. Authorities found more than 1,000 uncertified nurses and doctors working with companies in Thailand.
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3. The confiscated medicines included tablets and cough syrup.
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4. Rangsan said a company selling medicines without a licence can face a fine of up to 500,000 baht.
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Vocabulary
- antibiotic (n): a substance that can destroy or prevent the growth of bacteria and cure infections
flatulence (n): an uncomfortable feeling caused by having too much gas in the stomach
probe (n): a thorough and careful investigation of something
