Health Outreach Programs and Projects in the Local Community to Improve or Promote Health & Well-being

Thammasat University delivered outreach programs and projects, both as the on-going and ad-hoc programs, in the local communities and remote rural areas of Thailand, to improve and promote health & well-being in the areas of hygiene, dental care, aging well, exercise, holistic healthcare, and other health and well-being services.

Highlights:

Thammasat Royal Mobile Dental Units

Thammasat Royal Mobile Dental Unit, under Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, organized a “free” dental service project for people in the area in Patumthani province and in various remote areas. Thammasat University was granted with the royal permission to establish the “Thammasat Royal Mobile Dental Unit” since January 11, 1999. The project is aimed to providing the “free of charge” dental services to the public, to promoting the importance of dental health care and to educating the proper oral hygiene care to themselves and their families, especially the elderly.

Throughout 2023, the dental service project offered free dental service to the people in Luang Prabang (Lao), Chachoengsao Province, Pathum Thani Young Male Correctional Center, Khlong Luang community (Pathum Thani Province), Bang Duea Subdistrict, underprivileged children and oral care and hygience training in several districts and communities in Pathum Thani. Each year, there were more than 1,500 people have been serviced from Thammasat Royal Mobile Dental Unit.

  1. The “Volunteer Dental Services Mobile Event” took place in Chom Phet and Chiang Ngeun, Luang Prabang Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in collaboration with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation Thailand (SFEF Thailand).
  2. Mobile Dental Unit – Free Dental Services at Bang Pakong Electricity Authority, Chachoengsao Province
  3. Mobile Dental Unit – Free dental examination and treatment services at the Central Young Offenders Institution in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province
  4. Mobile Dental Unit – Free dental examination, treatment services, and oral health education at the Bang Duea Subdistrict Municipality Office, Pathum Thani Province
  5. Mobile Dental Unit – Dental Services and Training on Oral Hygience Care – Pathumtani

Most projects were funded by the Royal Dental Fund under His Majesty the King and Alumni Relation Office with approximately 45 medical staffs participated in these projects.

The other was a campaign called “Shared Smiles” which offer full mouth denture service and root canal treatment, starting from July 1, 2022 until June 30, 2023 at Student Dental Clinic, Thammasat University.  
โครงการรักษารากฟันแบ่งปันรอยยิ้ม (Jul,2022-Jun,2023)

Thammasat Mobile Medical Units – health check-up services for the local community

From January until December, 2023, the mobile health service unit from the Healthcare Service Center, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, and all health-related faculties within Thammasat University, have regularly provided the annual check-up services, influenza vaccination to factories in several industrial park and companies, kindergarten, schools, universities in the nearby locations, and the communities in various provinces such as:

1. Mobile Medical Unit – Free health check-up services for the residents of Khu Khot Municipality
2. Mobile Medical Unit – Free health services to students (Grade 1-4) at Kongfahwattanawit School, Rangsit Municipality (Jun,2023)
3. Mobile Medical Unit – Fee health check-up services for the public aged 35 and above in Lam Luk Ka Subdistrict Municipality “Chronic Non-Communicable Disease Screening Program” (Sep, 2023)
4. Mobile Medical Unit – โครงการส่งเสริมสุขภาพชุมชนศูนย์ความเป็นเลิศด้านโรคภูมิแพ้ โรคหืด และโรคระบบหายใจ (Jan,2024)

These outreaches enhanced public health access by offering essential medical services to the local community. The collaboration among health-related faculties aims to integrate various health services, promote interdisciplinary education, and conduct research in areas related to medicine, public health, and wellness. The initiative strengthens healthcare delivery and academic programs through shared resources and expertise, benefiting students, faculty, and the surrounding communities.

On September 3, 2023, the Health Service Center of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences conducted a health screening service for residents of Lamlukka Subdistrict Municipality aged 35 and above. The Chronic Disease Screening Program designed to screen for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for Lamlukka Subdistrict Municipality. This initiative focuses on identifying risk factors through health assessments and screenings to promote timely interventions. The program helps raise awareness, encourage lifestyle changes, and provide necessary medical referrals to improve overall public health and prevent the worsening of chronic conditions.
ศูนย์บริการสุขภาพคณะสหเวชศาสตร์ ออกหน่วยให้บริการตรวจสุขภาพแก่ประชาชนในเทศบาลตำบลลำลูกกา อายุตั้งแต่ 35 ปีขึ้นไป ในโครงการคัดกรองโรคไม่ติดต่อเรื้อรัง (Sep,2023)

Thammasat Mobile Community Health Education Program

On September 3, 2023, the Health Service Center of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Public Health and Environment Division of Tha Khlong Municipality, organized a health education training. Participants received health check-up results and consulted with professors and medical technologists. This event was part of the “Empowering Bodies, Strengthening Minds” project aimed at enhancing the well-being of Tha Khlong residents, held at Thai Thani East Community.

Other mobile health education programs are such as:

In addition to the health check-up services, the knowledge of pharmaceuticals, physical therapy, and elderly exercise are as essential.  Hence, The Community Health Program at the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University (Lampang Campus) organized a health education activity for the elderly in Ban Dong Dam community at the Dong Dam Subdistrict Municipality in Li District, Lamphun Province. The activity focused on teaching skills related to nutrition and exercise specifically for elderly participants.

On July 11, 2023, the Health Promotion Unit of the Faculty of Nursing at Thammasat University organized the event “Dementia and Prevention in the Elderly,” and conducted brain exercise activities which was a part of the assessments for the 6th generation of the Elderly School project at Bang Phun Municipality, held at the Bang Phun Municipality Meeting Room in Pathum Thani Province.

Please see more details of the other activities during 2022-2023 provided by the mobile health service unit from the Healthcare Service Center, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University from this links. Healthcare Service Center, Thammasat University

Mobile medical units and health check-up services and projects in the local community

From January until December, 2022, the mobile health service unit from the Healthcare Service Center, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, has regularly provided the annual check-up services, influenza vaccination to factories in several industrial park and companies, kindergarten, schools, universities in the nearby locations, and the communities in various provinces such as:
1. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health check services for SYP Hardware Company, Pathumtani Province (Dec,2022)
2. Mobile Health Service – Swap Test

3. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health check services for Kindergarten School, Rangsit Municipality (Aug,2022)
4. บริการตรวจคัดกรองสุขภาพเด็กวัยเรียน ป.1-ป.4

5. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health check services for Toshiba-Carrier Company (Nov,2022)
6. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health check services for Professional West Technology Co., Ltd – Sa kaew Province (Dec,2022)
7. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health check services for San Miguel Brewery Inc. (Sep,2022)
8. Mobile health check-up service for the officials of the Ordance Department, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Pathum Thani Provice (Nov,2022)
9. Health Outreach – FAHS provided service unit for swab sample collection for AIT (Feb,2022)

In addition to the health check-up services, the knowledge of pharmaceuticals, physical therapy, and elderly exercise are as essential.  Hence, the Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Thammasat University organized a project to provide knowledge about health care using Thai traditional medicine in the areas such as herbs for skin diseases and conducted a workshop to make herbal products to reduce the harshness of skin diseases such as glycerin bar soap mixed with mangosteen peel, liquid soap from turmeric herb, tamarind, and honey, shampoo mixed with kaffir lime and butterfly pea, etc.

1. Health Outreach – Education on Thai Traditional Medicine at Bang Phut, Pathumtani Province (May,2022)
2. FAHS, Thammasat – mobile health educational services for Ban Ua-Athorn Community (May,2022)
3. Health Outreach – Pharmaceutical Education for Thammasat University Demonstration School (Oct,2022)
4. Mobile Health Services “โครงการคนคลองหลวงสุขภาพดี ชีวีเป็นสุข” (Sep,2022)

5. MT-TU Mobile Health Check Services – Ban Ua Athorn Community, Phaholyothin Km. 44 (May,2022)
6. PT, Thammasat – mobile physical therapy services to Bang Ku Wat Municipality Community, Pathumtani Province (Nov,2022)
7. Health Outreach – Thai Herbs Education in Saraburi Provice (Apr,2022)
8. Independent Study “Inequities in Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Refugee Women from Myanmar in Thailand (Sep,2023)

Please see more details of the other activities during 2021-2022 provided by the mobile health service unit from the Healthcare Service Center, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University from this links. Healthcare Service Center, Thammasat University

Related articles and websites:
1. Academic Service Center for Health, Safety, Occupational Health and Environment Business Unit by the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Thammasat University, providing the integration of academic and social services, research and innovation for communities
2. Online academic training on “Tactics to Successfully Changes NCD Patients’ Behavior” by the Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University (15-19 March, 2021)
3. Online academic training on “Tactics to Successfully Changes NCD Patients’ Behavior” by the Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University (2-6 August, 2021)

Thammasat University’s Collaborations with Health Institutions at All Levels

Thammasat University recognizes the value of health and well-being. We strive to become a reliable resource and a role model in health and well-being of the people in the community as well as Thailand. We have continuously had several collaborations with local, national, and global health institutions to improve health and well-being outcomes, one of which is the collaboration of Faculty of Allied Health and Sciences with external institutions, both academics and public sectors, in the fields of medical technology, physiotherapy, radiologic techniques and sports science.

There have been projects and activities to build and expand academic cooperation networks with external health institutions including cooperation in professional practice, joint management of multidisciplinary education and the development of personnel in the academic field through:

Global Collaborations :

The Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, in collaboration with The University of Alabama at Birmingham, organized the AI in Med Conference 2023, the first event in Thailand to delve into the application of AI in medicine. The conference featured numerous world-renowned and Thai experts who will exchange ideas, share experiences, and showcase cutting-edge innovations. This event highlights our commitment to fostering advancements in both medical and technological fields, with a vision of pioneering Medical AI and Digital Health. By harnessing impactful solutions, we aim to revolutionize Thailand’s healthcare landscape.

The Faculty of Medicine is committed to broaden the international research collaboration through the revisiting of all MOUs with several universities such as LMU University Hospital, National Pediatric Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and many more.

 The Faculty of Nursing – MOU to strengthen health research collaboration

National Collaborations :

To become a reliable resource and a role model in health and well-being for Thai people, Thammasat University continues to collaborate and provide health services and support with several health institutions in Thailand. Ministry of Public Health often is the key partner especially for the health services, health education, and health innovative projects.

The Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Public Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Disease Control, the Pollution Control Department, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research cooperation. The project aims to forecast short-term health impacts of PM2.5 concentration in Bangkok. The goal is to exchange academic knowledge and essential data for public health planning in the Bangkok area. Forecasting health impacts in advance can provide valuable information for issuing public warnings and helping people prepare to avoid and prevent health effects.

The Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Nursing, and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences are among the leading faculties with the continuous health collaboration initiatives. Several MOUs were completed with the focus on medical research and academic cooperation to support the medical institutions and medical services centers in all regions.

Local Collaborations :

Learning Learning how to take care of oneself with some basic health knowledge and then changing health behaviors are what the people in local community or provincial areas needed. The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Department of Physical Therapy, Thammasat University, conducted training programs and projects to promote and develop health management systems, especially for the vulnerable groups and elderly.

On 22-25 June 2023, the Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, organized the 6th ‘Pharmacy Camp’ project at Ban Lam Nang Kaew School, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Faculty members and pharmacy students held activities to educate primary and secondary school students and engaged in volunteer work and community service. Activities included a Big Cleaning event and an educational exhibition on the correct and appropriate use of medication.

On 12 November 2023, the Department of Physical Therapy, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Technology at Thammasat University and Khlong Luang Municipality, organized a project to promote health and improve the quality of life for the elderly at White House Community, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province. This was part of the Community-Based Physical Therapy and Medical Technology Practicum for the 2023 academic year where elderly community members participated in physical fitness assessments and kidney disease risk analyses.

On February 14, 2024, the Health Service Center of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Lad Sawai Municipality Health Insurance Fund, conducted a training activity aimed at promoting health behavior changes at Lad Sawai Municipality, Pathum Thani Province. Participants will receive health check-up results and consult on health issues. The event, led by faculty members from the Department of Medical Technology and medical technologists, targeted the elderly population aged 60 and above as part of the Elderly Health Check-Up Program.