After the Order of Malta-Thailand left Ubon Ratchathani, it became apparent that some Health Centers in remote areas did not have proper means of transport to transport the invalids to the Health Centers for their appointments, nor did the nurses and volunteers have adequate transport to visit the sick, often using their own motorcycles in the rain and hot sun.
The Order of Malta decided to donate an ambulance to the Department of Health to be used to transport patients across remote areas of Ubon Ratchathani.
In February 2020, a delegation from the Order of Malta Thailand, arrived to hand over the ambulance to the Department of Health. The reception was held at Nonnhon Health Centre, where the Order of Malta presented the keys to Dr.Taweesin Visanuyothin, representing the Department of Health. {Little did we know that a few weeks later we would see Dr. Taweesin daily on TV giving us updates of Covid-19}
Many local dignitaries, the media, Members of the Public Health were present to witness the Order of Malta Thailand hand over the keys to the Department of Health.
This was the first time presenting a medical van, but incidentally not the last.
The Order of Malta Thailand ambulance has since been used daily, transporting the invalid to their medical appointments as well as the nurses and volunteers no longer need to use their private vehicles to visit the invalids at home.
It was also used to transport patients with Covid-19 to field hospitals during Covid.
On the same afternoon the Members of the Order of Malta, visited an elementary school which we visited in November 2019. This time we donated school uniforms to the 64 students as well as sports equipment, bringing our day in Ubon Ratchathani to an end.
The Members of the Order left, however the legacy of their good works remained.
To this present day, The Order of Malta Thailand provides food, pampers and emergency aid to many families in need in Ubon Ratchathani.
The Order of Malta, Serving the Sick and the Poor.
