Her Royal Highness’s Benevolence in Providing Medicine and Public Health Services in Thailand for Both People and Animals in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces from January 15 – 17, 2023

Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, President of the Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI), has unwaveringly dedicated Herself to continuing the commitments of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother to providing medicine and public health services to all Thai people and all animals.  Under Her Royal Highness’s benevolence, these
efforts aim to enhance their happiness and well-being. Her Royal Highness has administered activities to
increase the capabilities of healthcare, and prevention and solutions to the public health issues of the people.  Since 2016, Her Royal Highness has directed HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”.

Recognizing the importance of improving quality of life by campaigning for people’s good health, as well as prevention and control of rabies, in 2023, the President of the CRI started such campaign in the south,
stationing at Suratthani Rajabhat University in Surat Thani Province and at Walailak University in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, from January 15-17, 2023.

During the mission, Her Royal Highness directed the Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Unit (PMMV) in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces, from Provincial Public Health Offices and local hospitals with their teams of doctors, nurses, and medical personnel, equipped with expertise and resources, to provide services to local people, including registration, patient history collection, screenings, weight and height measurements, blood pressure checks, disease diagnosis, and prescriptions of medicines according to symptoms.  The teams offered general healthcare services, dental care, as well as traditional Thai and Chinese medical treatments.  Common health issues identified in the two provinces included musculoskeletal and joint diseases, cardiovascular conditions, skin ailments, and respiratory diseases, among others.

The President of the CRI also distributed 500 doses of rabies vaccines to the Chiefs of Surat Thani Provincial Livestock Office and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Livestock Office for further vaccination
efforts, boosting immunity in local dogs.

Her Royal Highness’s involvement of veterinary work is part of a crucial strategy to control and prevent rabies in dogs and cats, aiming to vaccinate no less than 80% of the total dog and cat population. Since the
inception of HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”, the number of rabies-related deaths has decreased, in alignment with the reduced number of animals affected by rabies.  In Surat Thani Province, no rabies-related death has been reported since 2018.  As for Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, one rabies-related death was last reported in 2019.

On this occasion, Her Royal Highness observed the training session to provide knowledge on the serious danger of rabies to livestock volunteers and pet owners for efficient surveillance, control, and eradication of rabies.

Moreover, Her Royal Highness administered rabies vaccination to people’s pets and distributed dog tags to pet owners as tokens of remembrance of HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”.

Afterwards, Her Royal Highness took part in veterinary anesthesia procedures, collaborating with
veterinarians from the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit, for sterilization of dogs and treatment of other diseases, such as mammary gland tumors, skin tumors, uterine infections, and cryptorchidism in male dogs.  These activities were conducted on mobile surgical unit, equipped with high safety standards.  Indeed, Her Royal Highness’s Royal Duties constitute a vital mission to campaign for addressing stray dog issues, providing healthcare, and sustainable eradication of rabies from Thailand.

Public Relations Section
Office of the President
January  19, 2023