The Public Health Ministry on Thursday closed the country's best field hospital earlier set up in Nonthaburi to treat Covid-19 patients in Greater Bangkok due to a decline in new daily caseloads.
Executives of the health ministry shut down the Busarakham field hospital at the Impact exhibition and convention complex after the facility had treated 20,436 Covid-19 patients in Greater Bangkok since its opening on May 14.
During the ceremony, Dr Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for health, said it took only seven days to set up "the country's biggest and best field hospital".
It opened with 1,000 beds and contributions from the government, as well as the private and civil sectors, later expanded it to 3,700 beds. With intensive care and semi-intensive care units, the facility helped free up beds for critically ill patients at conventional hospitals.
"In July, as many as 200 patients a day were admitted due to the outbreaks of the Delta variant of Covid-19," Dr Kiatiphum said.
"Admissions gradually dropped in September when there were 5-6 new cases a day. The last patient was discharged on Sept 20," he said.
Dr Kiatiphum commended all personnel who had devoted themselves to helping patients. They have returned to their workplaces and resources at the field hospital would be distributed to hospitals in need nationwide, he said.
