People employed in the IT industry have formed a group to provide assistance to people with Covid-19 who are isolating at home amid the raging pandemic, which is overwhelming medical facilities.
Anothai Wettayakorn, a representative from the group called IToxyGen, said he wants to help people in need because infections have reached almost 20,000 cases a day, along with many deaths.
Covid-19 patients are overwhelming hospital resources and volunteers are needed to ease the crisis, he said.
"While many people have individually donated money or necessities for people in need, we believe gathering more people to work together will have a greater impact," said Mr Anothai.
The group has gathered people from over 120 IT-related firms, including computer makers and IT distributors, he said. People without IT industry links are also welcome to join.
"Personally, I lost two friends from Covid-19. I think social efforts will be one of the key engines that could help ease this health crisis," Mr Anothai said.
He said the group is seeking oxygen concentrator equipment, which is now in short supply, and oxygen tanks, to give to Covid-19 patients at home.
"This can help with their breathing until they are admitted to hospital," he said.
The project aims to raise funds for assistance and to provide patients with a survival kit box, which contains necessary medicine needed for home isolation. Antigen testing kits and waste plastic bags are also being distributed.
He said IToxyGen is now targeting the Klong Sam Wa community and Soi Vacharapol 3 community in Bangkok as first priority and will then expand its assistance to other areas when more funds are obtained.
There are also some Thai programmers developing a mobile app that supports home isolation, including the use of artificial intelligence tech to screen people who need help. However, the project has yet to be launched.
The group is collaborating with other volunteers, including those who supply food and psychiatrists, to provide assistance to people isolating at home.
