Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is going to be on station at the Jesters 'Care for Kids' Charity Drive Children's Fair on Sunday September 15th 2002 at the Diana Group Driving Range. We really appreciate the International Department supporting the event once again and being part of the Team.

We do hope that you will come by to support the Children's Raffle stand this year, say 'Hello' to 'Barney Biker', (this year's giant Teddy Bear), and look at the wonderful range of prizes sponsored by Pattaya Sports Club, the Jesters and other generous donors.

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital has always participated in community projects and charity events, so the Ambulance and First Aid Unit will again be on standby for the famous Charity Bike Ride, run by Kim Fletcher, starting at 8 am on the Sunday morning. This is just in case the Unit is needed to deal with an emergency, or hand out bandages or ache & pain medicines to the bikers. The Unit will later be on hand throughout the Children's Fair, to deal with any situation that needs medical care and everyone is welcome to come by and have a free blood pressure check with the duty nurse.

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital recognizes the importance of Healthcare and this year has organized a series of Saturday morning free Health Seminars, starting with a very informative 'Prevention of Heart Disease' seminar which I attended. The audio/visual presentation by Dr. Manoon, a senior heart specialist at the hospital, was bilingual, very clear and detailed in content. A 'Question & Answer' session followed a refreshment break, with the opportunity to arrange for discounted medical checks and specialized tests. This was the first of a series of special topic seminars, followed by 'Skin Cancer'; 'Strokes'; Prostate Cancer; and Hepatitis/ Liver Cancer'. This month the topics are 'Allergies' and 'Hemorrhoids', with 'Ante-Natal Care' (ANC) and 'Child Psychology' seminars planned for August.

The seminars are co-ordinated through the very efficient and specialized International Department located on the Ground Floor just inside the entrance to the hospital. The staff speaks twelve languages between them and the services include worldwide insurance assistance and Embassy liaison, especially important when emergency treatment is required. There is even an International Ward, now offering full-time International Department co-ordination between patient, nurse and doctor.

Current expansion plans underway at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital include a new Heart Center, expanded ICU and Emergency Room facilities, an Orthopedic Center and a new Eye Center that will offer 'Lasik' laser eye correction surgery. A Conference Center is also planned and new parking facilities will be able to accommodate up to 800 cars.

Naturally, we hope that the Ambulance and First Aid Unit will have a quiet day at the Jesters Children's Fair on September 15th except, of course, for the Blood Pressure Check that is free to everyone visiting the Fair and to all those working there on the day. Call by to see me, Mike Franklin, at the Children's Raffle stand and say hello to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital staff.