PRPKRU (April 22nd 2021) Asst. Prof. Dr. Hiran Prasarnkarn, the President of Phuket Rajabhat University, announced that the university was preparing its conference center as a temporary hospital, with 265 beds, to cope with rapidly growing COVID–19 patients in Phuket.  

The president gave an interview saying that “the university, as an organization focusing on local services and development and the front–line of the Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, has presented Andaman Pannarai Conference Center in the university to be a new temporary hospital during the currently rising outbreak of COVID–19, making Phuket again a red zone of the outbreak.” 

After being approved by Mr.Narong Woonsiew, the Governor of Phuket, the university has been working with local administrative organizations, government public health agencies and private sectors to establish the temporary hospital, with 265 bed capacity, divided into 2 parts on the second floor of Andaman Pannarai Conference Center. The first part of 70 beds is at Khunying Kanchana Na Ranong Conference Room and the second part at Khun Lert Phokarak Conference Room. Being used as a temporary hospital, the security and facility systems are intensely enhanced to meet the required public health protocols.  

The experience of supporting locals and assisting students affected by COVID–19 in 2020 led the university to set the protocol and operation in academic and practical knowledge for the local community to prevent and cope with the disease. Moreover, university staff and students had volunteered to support the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office in COVID–19 Vaccinations during April 1st – 8th 2021. 

The president ended by saying that the temporary hospital is promptly set up; the university and the medical staff are ready to immediately accept a rising number of patients. We hope everyone can be cured, recover from COVID-19, and return to their homes safely.”