Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

2.6 Social Sectors
Health Sector
Summary
The 2011 floods impacted Thailand’s health sector more profoundly than annual floods
do, and resulted in loss of life and injury for many. At the time of writing 101 , the flood has
caused 652 deaths, with drowning being the top cause of mortality. Roughly 600 public
sector health facilities, provincial health offices, and district health offices were interrupted
or damaged by the floods. An even higher number of private health facilities, including
private hospitals, medical and dental clinics, were damaged, as large urban areas in
central Thailand and the Greater Bangkok area were inundated. The cost of damage is
estimated at THB 1.6 billion.
Apart from damage, Thailand’s health sector also sees losses in economic flows arising
from the increased workload imposed by the disaster, from setting up temporary hospitals
and mobile health units, as well as from temporary decline in health sector revenues due
to closed health facilities and a possible decrease in the number of patients, arising from
the interruption of transport services. The cost of losses is estimated at THB 2.1 billion.
The recovery and reconstruction needs, which include the cost of repairing damaged
facilities, incorporating the “build-back-better” concept, and replacement of damaged
furniture, medical equipment and supplies, is estimated at THB 2.3 billion.
Table 47: Health sector -
Damage, losses and needs
in Thai baht, millions
Sub-sector/
Component
Hospital
Health
Center/Private
Medical/Dental
Clinic
Provincial/District
Health Office
(Administrative)
TOTAL
Disaster Impacts Ownership Recovery and Reconstruction Needs
Damage Losses Total Public Private ~6 mths 6-24 mths > 24 mths
946.8
717.5
19.7
1,684.0
884.4
1,044.3
204.4
2,133.0
1,831.2
1,761.7
224.1
3,817.1
1,248.5
154.7
224.1
1,627.4
582.7
1,607.0
0.0
2,189.7
620.3
332.5
175.4
1,128.1
476.8
388.1
5.3
870.3
231.9
82.2
5.2
319.3
Sector Context
Thailand’s achievements in the health sector are widely recognized. Thailand has seen
significant improvements in health outcomes over recent decades, reflecting sustained
public investment in both infrastructure and human resources. Thailand has also succeeded
in expanding coverage of health protection schemes, culminating in the introduction
of the Universal Coverage Scheme in 2001. These efforts have eased access to health
services, contributed to increased and more equitable patterns of utilization, and helped
reduce the financial burden and the risk of impoverishment associated with healthcare
expenses.
101 30 November 2011
136 THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING