Banghak supports the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine in combating COVID-19, supporting the development of the LINE OA “FAH FIRST AID” utilizing Bangchak service stations as Andrographis paniculata distribution points for Green COVID patients

Bangchak and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to combat COVID-19 by supporting the department’s development cost of the LINE OA “FAH FIRST AID” and utilizing Bangchak service stations in the Bangchak Metropolitan area as Andrographis paniculata distribution points to COVID-19 patients recuperating at home who have registered to the “FAH FIRST AID” service, and is accepting volunteers as motorcycle drivers and assist those affected with an alternate source of income.

Following the new wave of COVID-19 infections from the beginning of July 2021, the Department of Traditional Thai and Alternative Medicine has debut the Line Official Account FAH FIRST AID for COVID-19 patients with preliminary symptoms, green patients, or those with high exposure risk to the infected, providing advice through Line, and registering to receive Andrographis paniculata free of charge. The Department will provide a daily regimen of Andrographis paniculata, which contains 180 mg. of andrographolide for 5-days to those registered mainly through the postal service.

With the growing severity of the situation, the system has seen an increase in registration, requiring timely and thorough distribution. On 22 July 2021, Bangchak joined the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine by launching the pilot project “Bangchak x FAH FIRST AID” utilizing its Sukhumvit 62 service station as a Andrographis paniculata distribution point with drivers who are part of the its Winnonie project delivering the medicine to patients in the Phra Khanong, Bang Na, and Khlong Toei area.

On 3 August 2021, the service area was expanded to include 6 Bangchak service stations in the Bangkok Metropolitan area, specifically, Sukhumvit 62, Rat Burana 1, Rama 2 KM.12, Rama 3 (2), Pak Nam 1 Samut Prakan Province, and Lam Luk Ka Khlong 1 Pathumthanin Province.

Furthermore, following the continuing severity of the situation, Bangchak will support the Department’s development and operational costs of LINE OA “FAH FIRST AID” between August and October 2021.

Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited stated that “Bangchak is delighted to be able to support the development and operational costs of LINE OA “FAH FIRST AID” and assist the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine by providing Bangchak service stations as Andrographis paniculata distribution points for COVID patients at home using motorcycle drivers, including Winnonie EV bike drivers or other motorcycle taxis or volunteers, helping COVID-19 to have access to Andrographis paniculata in a timely manner. Additionally, the initiative will also provide these drivers, who are affected by the COVID-19 situation, with an additional source of income.”

Amporn Benjaponpitak, M.D., Director General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, stated that “Thank you Bangchak for supporting the Department in distributing Andrographis panuculata in the Bangkok Metropolitan area which continues to see high rates of COVID-19 infection, as well as procuring motorcycle drivers to assist in the distribution of the medicine from Bangchak service stations to homes without physically contacting patients. We hope that with patients able to register on the Department’s Line OA, patients can be confident that they will have access to medicine without the need to stockpile. Since the launching of the Line OA @FAH FIRST AID providing information on Andrographis panuculata since May 2021, it has served more than 70,000 people, and have delivered Andrographis panuculata to treat more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients via the Line OA @FAH FIRST AID since July 2021. Those interested can register by searching for Line ID @fahdtam.”