Chiang Mai hospitals overflow with pollution sufferers
published : 3 Apr 2023 at 09:19
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Online Reporters
Air pollution in Chiang Mai has reached hazardous levels, with people suffering from respiratory issues filling up local hospitals, the Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine reported.
High PM2.5 levels in the northern province have led to many residents seeking medical attention for respiratory illnesses, including asthma and inflammation.
A total of 12,671 patients sought treatment for respiratory problems between Jan 1 and March 31, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital reported on Saturday.
The hospital said it has not been able to treat a significant number of people due to congestion.
Nationwide, the number of patients with air pollution-related diseases in hospitals totalled 1.73 million between Jan 1 and March 19, figures from the Ministry of Public Health said.
So far, local officials have acknowledged that air pollution and forest fires remain a major concern, as many areas have been hit by smog and smoke for weeks.
Although efforts are continuing to stop forest fires in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, authorities reported that hot spots have continued to expand in recent days.
According to Iqair.com, Chiang Mai was reported to have an air quality index (AQI) of 216 on Saturday afternoon and remained the world’s most polluted city, followed by Guangzhou in China and Hanoi in Vietnam.
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Vocabulary
- acknowledge: to let someone know you have received something or the you understand what it is - รับทราบ
- asthma: a medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe - โรคหอบหืด
- concern: interest or worry - ความสนใจ, ความกังวล
- congestion: a situation in which a place is crowded with people or vehicles - แน่นขนัดไปด้วยรถหรือคน
- expand: to make or become larger - ขยาย
- inflammation (noun): a red, painful and often swollen area in or on a part of your body - การอักเสบ, การติดเชื้อ
- medical attention (noun): medical treatment; medical care - การดูแลรักษาทางการแพทย์
- officials: people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law - เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
- overflow (adj): having too many people in an area, more people than can be comfortable held - ล้น
- polluted: (of water, air, land) having dirty or harmful substances so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use - ซึ่งเป็นมลพิษ
- respiratory: involving breathing - เกี่ยวกับการหายใจ
- significant: large or important enough to have an effect or to be noticed - ซึ่งมีความหมาย
- smog (noun): clouds of dirty and smokey air - หมอกควัน, ควัน, ควันพิษ,
- sufferer: a person who suffers, i.e., who is badly affected by something, especially somebody who is suffering from a disease - ผู้ป่วย, ผู้เจ็บป่วย, ผู้ที่ได้รับความทุกข์
- treat: to provide medical care - รักษา
