Chula Allied Health Sciences Provides Academic Services to Suea Yai Uthit Community to Reduce Illness and Sustainably Promote Good Health

In line with the university’s encouragement for faculties, institutes, and agencies to provide academic services to the public, the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences organizes community health service projects for society, and has continuously been doing so for the past six years.  Recently, the faculty has carried out another health service project for the Suea Yai Uthit community, Soi Ratchada 36, Chatuchak District. 

Asst. Prof. Dr. Anchalee Chiabchalard, Head of the Department of Clinical Chemistry at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, explains the academic services’ beginning and goals.  Realizing how important communities are and the fact that some communities still lack access to comprehensive medical services, the faculty has embarked on a mission to provide people in the community, Bangkok, and the surrounding areas with an easier access to medical services. 

To date, the faculty has organized up to six free health service projects for the Suea Yai Uthit community. The most recent one was held from June 22 to July 7, 2022, and was well received. People who came for the service have expressed opinions for the project to continue year after year, as it encourages them to take better care of their health and become more aware of their health problems.  Once an abnormality is discovered, people can change their behavior and seek medical attention to prevent or lessen the severity of many chronic noncommunicable diseases. 

Reasons for choosing the Suea Yai Uthit community 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anchalee revealed that, since the beginning, the Department of Clinical Chemistry was keen on combating environmental hazards, especially electronic wastes. According to a study, the Suea Yai Uthit community in Bangkok has the most electronic waste, with lead and cadmium contamination found within the community.  The team went into the area to find out how the electronic waste management in the community affects the environment and the quality of life of people.  Upon discussion with teachers at the Suea Yai Uthit Community’s Foundation for Slum Child Care, which is a center for parents to bring their child while they are at work, the team discovered that residents of the community were facing adverse impact from improper e-waste disposal, and some found it difficult to travel for medical check-ups.     

Various academic services at Suea Yai Uthit Community 

The services offered to the community include health check-ups, such as diabetes and lipid profile testing, liver and renal function testing, red blood cell count, urine test, and blood pressure testing.  Once complete, the blood test results, advice on basic nutrition, health, and the living environment, and answers to the questions that patients may have will be provided. 

Due to budget restrictions, the project’s maximum capacity is at only 50 participants.  The selection is made based on need and any pre-existing health problems.  Participants from the previous year to provide an update of results after receiving health care advice. Those who have difficulty accessing public health or do not have time will also be prioritized, particularly the group of teachers from the Foundation for Slum Child Care. 

The Academic Services Project to support UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 

Asst. Prof. Dr. Anchalee said that because the goal of this project is to provide people with sustainable health, it addresses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of good health and well-being.  If we start with a small community in Bangkok, and witness improvement in people’s health and well-being, we can re-scale the project to larger communities and increase availability. 

Benefits shared by Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and the community 

The project is a win-win for all parties.  Members of the community can access the service for free and learn how to take care of their health, eat healthy food, and avoid illness.  Even with a pre-existing illness, the progression is less.  At the same time, teachers and students at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences have the opportunity to use their medical and technological know-how to benefit the community, as well as conduct volunteer work and spread information about the faculty’s medical and technical services. Working with the community also means the public can learn more about the faculty’s various missions in teaching, research, and providing academic services to society.  

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