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American GSE Team tours BPH
Wararat Sasom, Janya
Rattanaliam, Pattaravadee Wangviriyaphan, Kenneth D. Jones, Dennis Stark,
Dr. Iain Corness, Alice McGrew, James Rivera, Stephanie Lowery and Natalie
T. Tindall.
Dr Iain Corness
A Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from Oklahoma (USA) which
has been touring in Thailand for the past month, had the opportunity of
touring the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya last week. With some of the members of
the team being involved in health care delivery in America, the hospital
tour turned out to be a real eye-opener.
The sophistication in technology as possessed in the local hospital, and the
comprehensive coverage of all specialties, including kidney dialysis, left
the visitors with a totally new perspective on Thai medical care. The team
leader said they had been told before they left America that they did not
need to worry about healthcare standards here, but it was only after seeing
the facilities at first hand, did they understand that Thai medicine was of
such a high standard.
By the time the group had arrived at the Beauty Center and compared prices
for cosmetic procedures with those in America they were reluctant to move
on, with a couple of the Americans ready to sign up there and then.
Unfortunately, they were due to leave Pattaya the following day and time was
not on their side.
From the hospital’s viewpoint, it is always of interest to see just how the
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya compares in the eyes of foreign patients, as while
technical and medical standards are tightly monitored to world standards
throughout the Bangkok Hospital Group (incidentally the largest hospital
group in SE Asia), the patient’s perception is equally as important.
Insurance reps attend BHP sales seminar
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya held a seminar on March 17 for more than 150
insurance sales representatives.
 Hospital
director Dr. Wichit Kangwarnkij (left) presents a souvenir to top marketing
specialist Dr Saeree Wongmonta (right).
Hospital director Dr Wichit Kangwarnkij chaired the event, at which top
marketing specialist Dr Saeree Wongmonta was speaker.
The focus on the meeting was on showing the representatives the facilities and
services of the hospital and showing them how the hospital can help in building
business potential for them.
Dr Saeree gave a talk on innovative marketing techniques specifically designed
for the medical services industry, and demonstrated how attractive packaging of
policies with incentives services added can help to increase sales and
consequently remuneration for the representatives themselves.
Dr Saeree said that good sales people know how to present themselves and how to
communicate, and they also have a thorough knowledge of the product they are
selling.
He said that a good sales person also understands the needs of the customer, and
that the ability to be able to offer sound advice and so build confidence is
very important.
A good sales person would broadly know the needs of the customer before the
meeting, and would have prepared information that could be imparted during the
discussion. A good relationship with your customer leads to confidence, and
confidence leads to sales, he told the assembled delegates.
Booths were provided at the hospital for the delegates to have free medical
checks for themselves, and healthcare packages were on offer at attractive
prices and with free add-ons such as beauty consultations and treatments.
PSC donates 800,000 baht in scholarships
Malinee (seated) surrounded by
friends on her birthday.
Elfi Seitz
Pattaya Sports Club has donated almost 800,000 baht to the YWCA
Bangkok-Pattaya Center to be used for scholarships for underprivileged
students.
The presentation was made during the birthday party of Malinee Suwansaenee,
member of the YWCA and president of the Association of Filipinos in Thailand
Eastern Region Chapter (AFT-ERC), held at the Montien Hotel.
YCWA chairwoman Dujduan Ruangwettiwong and Happy Family chairwoman Nittaya
Patimasongkroh accepted the funds from PSC president Dennis Willet and
charity chairman Bernie Tuppin, who handed over 195,000 baht in scholarships
to 130 students and another 600,000 baht in special scholarships for 60
children.
To loud applause, president Willet said he enjoys working together with the
YWCA, as it is an organization that works very hard to support the
underprivileged children of our society. The special scholarships will be
reserved for students with good grades, so they will some day be able to
further their education at college or university.
Both YWCA ladies found touching words to express their gratitude. It is
always their pleasure to work hand in hand with the PSC, they said, as the
club is well aware of the necessities for the community.
During the evening, Malinee was heaped with birthday presents from YWCA and
AFT members.
Rotary presents brass plaque
to the Royal Thai Marines
John Botting, president of
the Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya, along with Wiboon Wiriyapirom, president
of the Rotary Club Chantanimit (4th and 5th from left), present the plaque
to LCDR Pongsak Tongsai (5th from right). Witnesses to this ceremony are
Somsak Tanruengsri (right), general manager of the Pattaya Marriott Resort &
Spa, along with the management of the hotel and other Rotary Club members.
John Botting
The Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya & the Rotary Club Chantanimit,
Chantaburi recently presented a brass plaque to members of the Royal Thai
Marines, 3rd Marine division.
The award is given as a token of appreciation for the Marines’ assistance in
the realization of various club projects in Southern Thailand. Namely the
construction of a football field, a library and a sala for the children at a
school in the deep south.
The festive event took place at the Rice Mill restaurant in the Pattaya
Marriott Resort & Spa.
The plague will take pride of place at the Royal Thai Marine HQ in Bangkok.
Growing old with your brain
Dr Darakul Pornsriniyom,
neurologist at the Neuroscience Centre of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, advises
PCEC members about ‘growing old with your brain’ and avoidance of stroke.
A busy programme was presented at the Pattaya City Expats
Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday March 16th at Henry J. Bean’s.
The morning got underway with the week’s MC Roger Fox welcoming the first
speaker of the morning, Dr Darakul Pornsriniyom, a neurologist at the
Neuroscience Centre at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. The theme of Dr Darakul’s
talk was ‘growing old with your brain’ and the avoidance of stroke.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide with approximately
five million occurrences each year. One in five survivors can expect to
experience another stroke. Ischemic stroke, which is a leading cause of
disability, can be described as a sudden loss of brain function due to
deprivation of blood such as the blockage of arteries to the brain.
Hemorrhage strokes occur when there is bleeding in the brain.
If a stroke has occurred in an individual it is essential that those in the
vicinity of the sufferer recognize the condition and take action
immediately. Remedial treatment must be underway within three hours to
minimize the effects on the body.
Symptoms of a having a stroke can include sudden weakness,
incomprehensibility to those around the sufferer, sensory loss and loss of
vision.
It is also possible to suffer a transient ischemic attack (TIA) which could
be described as a mini stroke. It is essential that if a TIA appears to have
occurred a correct diagnosis is performed. One third of untreated TIA can
later repeat as more serious ischemic strokes. The diagnosis is confirmed
using CT or MRI scans together with the latest Transcranial Doppler
Ultrasound equipment where the arteries in the neck can be viewed. This
equipment also has the advantage of being able to be used in any hospital
environment.
Those at risk are those over 55 years of age, especially those over 65 and
those who may have a family history of stroke. The risk of stroke can be
reduced by up to 80% if the following are carried out: blood pressure kept
to a correct level, giving up smoking, testing for diabetes, the level of
cholesterol kept to a correct level, and body weight management. The intake
of alcohol should be curbed and unnecessarily high stress levels reduced.
Ann from the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya announced that the Family Health
Summer 2008 promotion would be available from March 31 to April 4 when
health checkup packages would be available from just 599 baht.
Further announcements included Michel de Goumois who provided the report
that the Club dinner which took place at the Sea Falcon Restaurant Jomtien
had been a great success. The next one is scheduled for April 2 at Le
Parrot’s Bistro.
The PCEC appears to be on the move with a number of travel plans underway or
in the planning process. Darrel Vaught confirmed the final details of the
day trip to Bang Saen and the environs. Roger Fox commented that the recent
trip to Cambodia had been both a recreational and an educational experience.
A similar trip to Laos was planned over the Songkran period. Vietnam was
also being considered as a future destination. It is hoped that a trip of
some kind will be organized every six weeks or so.
Next Sunday the PCEC will welcome senior officers of the Pattaya Traffic
Police. Also on this day the PCEC will be celebrating its 7th Anniversary.
Some unique celebrations are planned including a possible appearance of a
surprise guest!
The regular Open Forum was then underway with Sig Sigworth complete with
beanie (a cap with propeller attached) assisted by Bob L’Etoile leading the
proceedings. As always it provided an opportunity for questions about living
in Thailand with an emphasis on Pattaya to be asked. The Open Forum again
proved to be the usual lively and entertaining session. For more information
regarding, not only PCEC Sunday meetings but also the varied mid week
activities, please see the Community Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or,
for more details, visit the Club’s website at pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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