The Sakon Nakhon Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) has ordered the immediate transfer of the director of a tambon-level (sub-district) health promotion hospital following allegations that he drank beer while drawing blood from an elderly patient.
Images circulating on social media showed the as yet unidentified director of a tambon health promotion hospital in Waritchaphum district of Sakon Nakhon imbibing beer as he attempted to draw blood from an 83-year-old female patient.
A granddaughter of the patient posted the images to her Nong Nan Ap'y Facebook account on June 15. She wrote that the accused hospital head appeared heavily intoxicated and continued drinking in front of her grandmother, who suffers from multiple illnesses.
The blood draw was unsuccessful, causing swelling in the patient's hand. When an elder sister of the Facebook user questioned his conduct, the official became agitated and claimed he normally earned 1,000 baht per hour for providing such services, telling her that if she was dissatisfied, she should take the patient to seek treatment at a larger hospital instead.
The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with many questioning the appropriateness of the official's behaviour.
Kitthana Tharakittirat, permanent secretary of the Sakon Nakhon PAO, said on Wednesday that the organisation's executives had been informed of the matter and ordered a fact-finding investigation since Tuesday to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
As an initial measure, senior health officials were assigned to investigate the allegations. The director has also been temporarily reassigned to another office to prevent any impact on public services, said Mr Kitthana.
He added that the alleged behaviour was highly inappropriate for a public health official entrusted with caring for the public. A disciplinary inquiry committee would be established to determine further action in accordance with civil service regulations.
