A PREGNANT nurse at the Joh I Rong Hospital in unrest-plagued Narathiwat province has relived the moment heavily armed men stormed the hospital on Sunday.

“They were dressed somewhat like security officials, but I knew immediately that they were different,” she said. “They wielded guns and demanded that we get on the floor.”

She saw them banging computers and taking mobile phones away from staff.

They then tied her hands and told her to lie face down, which was difficult as she is six months pregnant.

“I kept asking them to not hurt me. I told them I was carrying a child,” the nurse said.

She said she did not know what happened next after she lay face down. All she heard was gunfire and tumult. “I felt nothing. Only after the gunfire stopped did I realise I was still alive,” she said.

The raid on the hospital marks the first time insurgents have raided a medical facility since the wave of violence in the South erupted in 2004.

The staff and patients who experienced the shocking incident will have a vivid reminder of the unrest.

No patient or staff member was injured during the gunfight between insurgents and security personnel.

Despite the frightening raid, doctors and health workers reported to work at Joh I Rong Hospital as usual yesterday.

“We have stayed put because we feel this is our home,” Joh I Rong Hospital director Dr Boonrat Praphanwong said. “We want to continue taking care of patients, regardless of their background.”

The hospital has 30 beds and usually treats about 200 patients a day.

Narathiwat public health chief Dr Sommai Boonkliang said insurgents should recognise hospitals as neutral facilities since they treat insurgents.

“Violence will only add stress to patients and medical staff. They need peace,” he said.

Boonrat, who has worked at Joh I Rong Hospital for nearly 10 years, said: “Working in an unrest-plagued zone is scary. But I want to be here to help.

“I will be here for as long as locals welcome me. But if you want me to move away, I will.”