Intouch Public : CONTRIBUTES TO FIELD WARD FOR KING CHULALONGKORN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Bangkok - 29 July 2021: Due to the increasing severity of the Covid-19 situation and the surge in new infections, patients now outnumber the available hospital beds. Intouch Holdings Plc. ('INTOUCH') has therefore made a donation to support a field cohort ward at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society. Mr. Anek Pana-apichon, CEO of INTOUCH, made the following statement: 'The situation today has had a significant impact on hospitals and medical personnel. It is imperative that we join forces in order to make every effort to overcome this difficult time together. Therefore, INTOUCH has contributed to a fund for erecting a temporary field ward to accommodate more Covid-19 patients at the intermediate to critical stage for prioritized medication. This will help reduce bed waiting time and congestion in the emergency room. This contribution by INTOUCH supplements previous donations of medical equipment and emergency medical kits to many hospitals in Bangkok and the provinces in accordance with their different needs.' Professor Suttipong Wacharasindhu, MD, Director of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, told us: 'At present, there are some Covid-19 patients who cannot be treated using the home isolation approach and require in-hospital care. Sometimes these patients need to wait for emergency admission due to a shortage of beds. The hospital is transforming the parking area in front of Phatthayaphat Building into a field cohort ward, which we expect to open on August 12. The support from INTOUCH will help the hospital to significantly enhance its capability to treat Covid-19 patients.' The field cohort ward is a temporary structure that can be erected in 12 to 15 days. It will be used to accommodate patients at the intermediate level, who are awaiting emergency treatment and are incapable of looking after themselves. This ward will comprise a negative pressure recovery area for patients, working rooms for doctors and nurses, a medical supply storeroom, restrooms, and a PPE changing room. It will be equipped with CCTV to monitor the patients, an IT communication system, and other facilities to support the medical personnel. INTOUCH wishes to be part of the support for all healthcare workers who are continually treating Covid-19 patients. We extend our sincere thanks to every dedicated member of the medical profession.