First air pollution clinic opens

The Department of Medical Services has set up the country's first air pollution clinic, at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in a Bangkok suburb, to educate the public about the threats to health from air pollution, to assess and follow up on the condition of patients suffering from pollution-related diseases and to provide advice to the public on how to protect themselves from pollution.
Dr Nattapong Wongwiwat, deputy director-general of the department, said today that information collected by the clinic will be used as a basis on which to develop remedial measures to reduce sickness from air pollution, in conjunction with the treatment of the patients.
Director of Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Dr. Kriangkrai Namthaisong, said that a network of similar clinics in the other areas will be set up and working manuals will be produced for the clinics within the network.
A webpage, www.pollutionclinic.com, has been created, through which members of the public can seek advice from doctors at the clinic or seek treatment.