ข่าวเด่น

The School of Public Health at Walailak University, in collaboration with partner networks, is moving forward with efforts to strengthen Thailand's primary health care system through a new training program titled "Developing Public Health Officers in Family Medicine for Primary Care Cluster (PCC) Services." The program is designed to build the capacity of public health personnel to better serve the public and enhance quality of life for individuals and communities alike.

The opening ceremony, organized on August 10, 2026, was presided over by Dr. Sutthipot Chayanatpong, Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Chief Medical Officer, who delivered the welcome address. Assistant Professor Dr. Supabhorn Yimthiang, Dean of the School of Public Health at Walailak University, presented the program report. Also participating were Ms. Warin Chinnawong, President of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization, who gave a special lecture, and Associate Professor Dr. Vorapoj Promasatayaprot, President of the Council of Community-Public Health, who spoke on "Directions and Development of the Primary Care Service System and the Role of Public Health Officers." The event drew a large turnout of public health officers and academics from Nakhon Si Thammarat and neighboring provinces in the upper southern region, as well as university faculty, staff, and students. The event was held at the Bussarakham Meeting Room, Grand Park Hotel, Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Sutthipot Chayanatpong noted that Thailand's health care system is currently facing mounting challenges from shifting demographics, an aging population, and a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, alongside growing public demand for quality, accessible health services spanning health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. He said the primary health care system and Primary Care Cluster services have therefore become essential mechanisms for delivering close, community-based care. Public health officers, he added, are a key pillar of primary care teams, contributing to health promotion, disease prevention, risk factor management, chronic disease care, and elderly care, while coordinating closely with multidisciplinary teams and community networks. Strengthening their capacity in family medicine, he said, represents a valuable investment that will directly benefit public quality of life over the long term.  

Assistant Professor Dr. Supabhorn Yimthiang explained that the School of Public Health partnered with the Primary Health System Support Division under the Ministry of Public Health to develop the training program. Its objectives are to deepen participants' knowledge of family medicine and primary care systems, promote the practical application of family medicine tools, and cultivate public health officers as leaders of community health transformation — ultimately raising the standard of primary care services and improving quality of life for the public.  

The training program runs from 10 to 12 August 2026 and was designed around a competency-based framework using the Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) model. It comprises 12 modules totaling 18 hours of instruction, covering topics from family health care management and community-based chronic disease care to elderly care and palliative care.

 





News and photos by Chonthicha Limpiti
English translation by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communications