{"id":336,"date":"2022-07-05T08:51:33","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T08:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psarn.princhealth.com\/?p=336"},"modified":"2025-06-05T06:04:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T06:04:35","slug":"%e0%b8%82%e0%b8%9a%e0%b8%a7%e0%b8%99%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%a5%e0%b8%b9%e0%b8%81%e0%b9%80%e0%b8%9b%e0%b9%87%e0%b8%94-%e0%b8%88%e0%b8%b4%e0%b8%95%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%aa%e0%b8%b2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psarn.princhealth.com\/en\/%e0%b8%82%e0%b8%9a%e0%b8%a7%e0%b8%99%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%a5%e0%b8%b9%e0%b8%81%e0%b9%80%e0%b8%9b%e0%b9%87%e0%b8%94-%e0%b8%88%e0%b8%b4%e0%b8%95%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%aa%e0%b8%b2\/","title":{"rendered":"Ducklings on the Frontline: Youth Volunteers Battling COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

During the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak, <\/span>Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi under Principal Healthcare and Principal Capital Public Company Limited (PRINC)<\/b> was among the hospitals at the forefront of the pandemic response. However, the overwhelming number of patients led to a shortage of healthcare personnel. This sparked the formation of a youth volunteer initiative called the \u201cDucklings Movement\u201d\u2014a small yet vital force that came to support the frontline warriors and public health officers at the hospital.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAt first, no one wanted to be at the COVID-19 registration point because it was high-risk, and there weren\u2019t enough staff for the number of patients. But now, I\u2019m not afraid like before, because we\u2019re doing something meaningful. When patients come to us, we offer them both comfort and safety,\u201d <\/span><\/i>- Supawan Katong, one of the Ducklings<\/span><\/p>

Their story was featured on the program \u201cKon Khon Khon\u201d,<\/b> which highlighted how over 200 young volunteers came together to support medical staff during the crisis.<\/span>The Ducklings were instilled with the spirit of giving and mutual support. <\/b>Their roles ranged from screening patients to assisting in medical laboratories. One of the main responsibilities was supporting the vaccine service stations\u2014verifying registration, inputting data into the \"Mor Prom\" system, and issuing appointment cards.\n\nOver time, their scope expanded from front-line duties to back-office support in pharmacy and laboratory units. Most volunteers were part-time workers\u2014high school and university students\u2014who also sought to earn extra income to support their families during the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI got real hands-on experience, wore real protective gear, and saw firsthand what hospital staff actually do. I had just graduated from high school in the science-math stream. Working here helped me discover what I really want to study\u201d <\/span><\/i>\u2013 Amornrat Promnamang, Ducklings member<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019ve been here for nearly a year and learned so much. I didn\u2019t know what the Ducklings were at first, but once my friend explained, I immediately signed up. I wanted to help people. I\u2019ve now decided to study in this field because I enjoy helping others and contributing to society\u201d<\/span><\/i> \u2013 Pittayaphong Pikultong, Ducklings member<\/span><\/p>

Working as a Duckling required<\/span>a high level of responsibility.<\/b>These volunteers had to balance their studies and work schedules. During off-site vaccination drives\u2014sometimes as far as Chonburi\u2014they would leave at dawn and return late, yet still report for duty the next day. Some worked while studying; others prepared for entrance exams at the same time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Aside from gaining invaluable experience,<\/span>the modest compensation<\/b>from this volunteer role taught many of them how to manage money. Some were able to support their families, pay tuition, or cover personal expenses\u2014lightening the load during a time when many households faced financial hardship.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis job not only pays, it\u2019s also a blessing. Patients come to us in distress, and we want them to know they\u2019re part of the collective fight alongside the white-garbed warriors during Thailand\u2019s COVID crisis,\u201d\n\u2013 Atiya Awachanakan, Chief Sustainability Officer<\/span><\/p>

Managing a team of over 200 volunteers of diverse genders and ages was no easy task. The Ducklings had to<\/span>learn teamwork, conflict resolution, and adaptability<\/b> \u2014especially when working alongside professional medical teams. Whether dealing with patients or colleagues, they had to manage pressure and find middle ground between differing expectations. They developed emotional intelligence and resilience, which they could apply beyond hospital life.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWorking with youth\u2014who are bold and full of ideas\u2014gives us fresh perspectives. They learn to think critically, plan, and develop leadership skills. We\u2019ve seen their potential and, in the future, we can invite them to join the organization as the next generation of talent,\u201d\n\u2013 Vijitra Sisai, Head of OPD<\/span><\/p>

Even in restricted areas like the medical laboratory, the hospital gave some Ducklings a chance<\/span>to assist professionals.<\/b> During the pandemic, there was a high demand for medical technologists. Tasks like result entry\u2014though not requiring professional certification\u2014greatly helped ease the workload. Volunteers were trained and assigned roles based on suitability under professional supervision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHaving these kids is like having extra hands. They help tremendously and let us focus more on our core tasks,\u201d\n\u2013 Paiboon Phuthong, Head of Medical Laboratory\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

While experience, compensation, and skills are among the benefits the Ducklings receive, what PRINC truly hopes to impart is a sense of<\/span>value and purpose.<\/b> Even a small screening point carries great importance\u2014it helps prevent disease transmission. This realization gives the volunteers a deep sense of pride.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBeyond income and meaningful time use, beyond instilling a giving spirit\u2014what we truly give them is the identity of someone who serves and uplifts society,\u201d\n\u2013 Atiya Awachanakan, Chief Sustainability Officer<\/span><\/p>

Although born in the era of COVID-19, the Ducklings Movement is only just beginning. The values instilled and the knowledge gained will serve as a foundation. PRINC hospitals plan to continue mentoring and nurturing new generations of youth through similar opportunities going forward.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t