Thai medics head to Myanmar

2008-05-17 11:30

Bangkok - Thirty Thai medics flew to cyclone-hit Myanmar early on Saturday, part of a group of more than 100 Asian medical workers that the junta is allowing to treat victims of the storm, a Thai health official said.

Eighteen Thai doctors and 12 nurses flew to Yangon on a military flight that also carried about $230 000 worth of medical supplies, said Prat Boonyawongvirot, permanent secretary at the Health Ministry.

The medics were given two-week visas and are expected to move on Sunday to two towns devastated by Cyclone Nargis on the outskirts of the city, he added.

"We submitted 32 names of doctors and nurses for visas, but they allowed only 30. After this first mission is complete, they will consider whether to allow future missions," Prat said.

A group of Indian medics has already arrived in the country, he said. Medical teams from other Asian countries are expected to land this weekend.

Myanmar's decision to allow Asian medics into the country marks the first significant movement of foreign aid workers into the disaster zone, two weeks after the cyclone left nearly 78 000 people dead and another 56 000 missing.

- AFP