Health ministry issues iodine tablets to Thais enroute to Japan
BANGKOK, March 16 - Thailand's Ministry of Public Health will give iodine pills to all Thais travelling to Japan from Thursday at the country's international airports to protect from the radioactivity released from quake-hit Japanese nuclear power plants.
Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said 15,000 iodine pills will be distributed to Thai passengers who will depart for Japan at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports from tomorrow.
Permanent-Secretary for Public Health Dr Paichai Varachit said the country’s newly-set up operations centre on Japan's natural disaster will advise Thai nationals planning to visit northern Japan on staying safe from radiation including regular body and hand washing and avoiding outdoor activities.
Dr Paichit said those who return from Japan must also complete a questionnaire on arrival about their state of health so that they can monitor if and how they have been affected by the radiation crisis there.
The official however asserted that the two measures are introduced for the benefit of the travellers themselves.
Although radiation particles are detected in their bodies, they will not transmit the radioactive iodines to other people, he said.
Meanwhile, the Medical Council of Thailand on Wednesday announced it is recruiting Thai doctors to be dispatched to help earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, but warned the public not to overdose on the iodine tablets.
Council president Amnat Kusalanant said after discussing possible further medical assistance from Thailand with Japanese embassy officials in Bangkok that the council has launched a new website www.tmc.or.th to recruit volunteer Thai doctors to Japan.
Those who want to go there should be able to communicate in Japanese well and now ten Thai doctors have registered for the mission, according to Dr Amnat.
Thailand will also issue a warning on the overuse of iodine pills to prevent radiation particles as Thailand still does not need to use them as it is too far from the affected areas, said the president.
Dr Amnat explained that those who do not get the radiation but take the pills might have an adverse reaction for iodine overdose.
Group Captain Niwat Intravichien from the Directorate of Medical Service, the Royal Thai Air Force, on Wednesday said C130 transport aircraft will depart Thailand for Japan 10pm Thursday to take Thai nationals back home. So far 200 people have informed they want to return home.
The second flight will leave Thailand Friday night, said Gr Capt Niwat, adding the operation is under the supervision of the Thai foreign ministry.
In the latest official figures, the death toll from destructive quake and tsunami mounted to 3,676 and 7,558 people were missing. In Miyagi prefecture alone, some 10,000 are feared dead as it is the hardest-hit area. (MCOT, agencies)
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