Children are a delight. From newborn to toddler to teenager, they bring us joy, smiles, laughter, and pride as we watch them grow and develop. Of course, there are endless positive things that can be said about having children. But, as with everything, there are two sides to every coin. 

There are times when a child can be a source of worry. This is never so more apparent than when a child suddenly falls sick or is involved in an accident. The depth of love for a child that brings so much joy, now brings equal levels worry and anguish.

Childhood illnesses are difficult to avoid. You can expect most children to contract chicken pox and measles as they go through their formative years. Although chicken pox can cause soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and neurological complications, it rarely requires hospitalization. 

It is very similar with measles. Although there has been a surge in cases this year, the disease is no more virulent than at any other time, and although consulting a doctor is wise, hospitalization is rarely necessary. 

Minor accidents and injury are part of the rough and tumble of growing up. Cuts, grazes, bumps, and bruises are par for the course in childhood. The vast majority of minor injuries never need professional medical assistance. With cleaning, dressing and a hefty amount of parental common sense, most minor injuries can be shrugged off and soon forgotten.

But what happens if your child falls victim to a more serious injury, one that requires immediate professional help? Perhaps a child is acutely sick or ingests a toxic substance. It is then that you need an expert medical service that is available 24 hours a day.

Common Injuries and Illness in Children

One of the most common injuries in young people is bone breaks. In fact, across the world, depending on the region, between 40 and 50 percent of youngsters will experience a broken bone. The majority of these breakages occur in the arm above the wrist. Bone fractures require immediate medical help and assistance should be sought without delay. 

Sadly, all across the world, many youngsters suffer physical trauma following a car accident. In Thailand alone, 1 in every 3 child deaths are due to a road traffic accident, which equates to 17,000 child deaths on the roads every year. Many of these lost lives could have been saved if skilled emergency professionals had been called to the scene immediately. 

In the very young, from ages 1 to 5, one of the most common emergencies is poisoning. A young child, not yet learnt top read, is unlikely to know the difference between 2 liquids of a similar color, or 1 liquid that appears attractive. And so, an innocent child drinks a toxic substance. Poisoning in young children this way is very common and requires immediate medical assistance. 

Sadly, in the young, burns make up a high percentage of injuries that require emergency treatment. Although burns can be caused in many different ways, the most common burns injuries in children are caused by hot liquids or fire. These types of injury are not only physically life changing, but also psychologically traumatic for the victim and require prompt, expert medical attention.

On the rise in children, almost universally across the world, is epilepsy and diabetes, and Thailand is no exception. More and more youngsters are being diagnosed with these two conditions and, although the conditions are controllable, they do result in more medical emergencies that require professional medical assistance.

Who to Call in an Emergency?

If your child is involved in a medical emergency, you want a fast, efficient service, one that is staffed by highly trained medical professionals. The ideal service will have emergency ambulances on standby 24 hours a day, and the ambulance service, both ground and air, will have been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation Medical Transport Services (CAMTS). This is international recognition is only given to those services that can demonstrate exemplary medical care in patient transit.

The facility will have pediatricians and doctors of all medical disciplines on call day and night. Evaluation, treatment, and surgical suites will be fully functional around the clock. The staff will be multi-lingual, and there will be interpreters on hand to ensure no misunderstandings between the medical professionals and the clients. 

The facility will be specifically designed for purpose. It will be modern and be equipped with the latest technology to assist in the diagnostics and treatment of young people. The facility will be able to take medical emergency admissions with limited notice with qualified medical teams on 24-hour notice. 

Obviously, there are few medical facilities that meet such exacting standards. One of the few that can is the 24-hour Emergency Clinic at Samitivej Srinakarin Children’s Hospital in Bangkok. This is a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility staffed around the clock by highly trained pediatricians, surgeons and medical back up staff. 

The 24-hour Emergency Clinic is one of global excellence with a proven track record in its skills and capabilities in treating, not only all manner of injuries suffered by children, but also children suffering with serious illness and disease.

From its inception, the center has been designed with, not only the very best medical care and facilities in mind, but also with children in mind. It has been thought about from the child’s perspective. Viewing things from the mind of a child has enabled Samitivej Hospital to create a clinic that a child won’t find threatening or stressful in any way.

Samitivej Hospital has been offering first class medical services to the public since 1979. It continues to offer that service today, but across a much wider spectrum. The hospital’s client base has also changed. Although originally the patients were from the local population, today they come from across the world.

And now the same can be said for the 24-hour Emergency Clinic. Samitivej Hospital’s client base has shifted with the sands of time. There are now many more expat residents living in the kingdom. The 24-hour Emergency Clinic is on call for the Indigenous and expat population and for the ever-increasing numbers of foreign visitors.