The Minister of Public Health revealed that he is preparing to propose to the Cabinet next week to approve government agencies to pilot WFH to cope with the increase in PM 2.5 dust.
The Minister of Public Health revealed that he is preparing to propose to the Cabinet next week to approve government agencies to pilot WFH to cope with the increase in PM 2.5 dust. He believes that if the government sets an example, the private sector will follow.
January 21, 2568 Due to the current situation of fine dust (PM 2.5), which is showing signs of worsening, the Occupational and Environmental Disease Control Committee will meet tomorrow (January 22) to find preventive measures, which will be proposed to the Cabinet meeting next week (January 28).
Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health (MOPH) mentioned an important proposal: working from home nationwide (Work From Home:WFH) To give agencies a choice, to be able to decide whether to allow working from home based on facts, because in the past these agencies did not dare to make a decision, which is believed that if the government sets an example, the private sector will follow.
The Ministry of Public Health has the following measures to solve the PM 2.5 dust problem:
1. The Emergency Medical and Public Health Operations Center for smog and fine dust in 2568 shall prepare and strictly comply with the Ministry of Public Health Order No. 2172/2567 dated 24 December 67.
2. Accelerate proactive public relations and create awareness about measures to prevent and solve air pollution problems (PM2.5 dust) for the public to be aware of, especially health care and self-protection from PM2.5 dust, including using digital technology to communicate to reach more people.
3. Have the provincial public health offices nationwide set up medical operations teams to go to the area to care for at-risk and vulnerable groups, such as child development centers, elderly care centers, bedridden patients, and have village health volunteers (VHVs) care for people in the area.
4. Expand public health services to cover all areas, especially in areas with high impacts, by adding dust-free rooms and dust-fighting mosquito nets, as well as setting up PM 2.5 clinics and providing online consultations through various channels.
5. Provide support for various medical equipment such as face masks, saline, and nasal syringes. Please inform the agencies under the Ministry of Public Health to proceed accordingly.
According to data from the University of Chicago, USA, if the PM 2.5 dust value increases from 37.5 micrograms/cubic meter (μg/m10) and increases by another 1.03 μg/m95 for a long period of time, it will shorten people's lifespan by a little over a year or about XNUMX years. It is believed that this year's situation will remain severe, so people are asked to wear NXNUMX masks to protect against dust.
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