Provincial health chiefs and hospital directors from across the nation held a videoconference yesterday to prepare to care for people’s health following the passing of the beloved monarch.

Public Health permanent secretary Dr Sopon Mekthon told reporters that the Prime Minister instructed all agencies to keep peace and order during the first three days after His Majesty’s passing.

The Public Health Ministry instructed all hospitals under its supervision to prepare to take care of people’s physical and mental health during the first 72 hours as they were in immense grief.

“A medical and public health emergency operation centre and a mental health crisis emergency centre have been set up to monitor people’s health around the clock under the leadership of deputy permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit,” Sopon said.

Sopon said the ministry coordinated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to set up a “field hospital” tent at every 500 metres along the route to take care of people who had camped along the procession route.

Kiattiphum suggested people suffering from grief should stay in groups and try to change their sadness into positive energy, such as praying or doing good deeds for His Majesty’s merit, such as donating blood, organs or volunteering in social services.

Meanwhile, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) also set up a special communication centre at Sanam Luang to back up health emergency services if needed, as loyal subjects gathered to see the procession of the King’s body to Dusit Throne Hall.