Chulalongkorn University’s Social Projects and Activities: Promoting Health and Well-being in the Community 2024-2025

Chulalongkorn University is committed to promoting health and well-being for people of all backgrounds through a wide range of outreach programmes and community engagement projects. These initiatives integrate knowledge and expertise from multiple disciplines—including public health, medicine, nursing, dentistry, sports science, nutrition, and social sciences—to enhance the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals and communities in a sustainable manner.

The University’s programmes reach out to local communities surrounding the campus as well as remote areas, and extend support to disadvantaged groups, the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with chronic health conditions, as well as migrant and refugee populations living nearby. Each initiative aims to improve quality of life and promote public awareness on key health topics such as hygiene, nutrition, family planning, exercise, sports, mental health, and active aging.

Chulalongkorn University also encourages students, faculty members, and staff to participate in volunteer and community-based service programmes that connect academic knowledge with real-world social contribution, helping to foster a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable society.

Examples of Projects and Initiatives in 2024-2025:

Health Service Project for the Elderly in Nursing Homes (March 8 – 29, 2024)

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, organized the Health Service Project for the Elderly in Nursing Homes from March 8-29, 2024, at Waiwatthananiwas Foundation – Home for the Elderly and the Tambon Thaiban Health Promoting Hospital, Samut Prakan Province.

This project aimed to provide comprehensive and accessible health check-up services for elderly residents in nursing homes, expanding the scope of care to include blood tests alongside urine analysis with greater precision. In particular, the project emphasized the microalbumin urine test, applying research findings from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, to enhance the effectiveness of elderly healthcare.

The initiative forms part of the faculty’s ongoing academic service mission, dedicated to contributing knowledge and expertise to society and local communities. Many elderly individuals in nursing homes do not have regular access to adequate healthcare; therefore, conducting blood and urine tests helps in the early detection, prevention, and treatment of age-related diseases.

In addition to benefiting the elderly, the project also provided valuable learning opportunities for participating students. It integrated teaching, research, and community service, allowing students to gain hands-on professional experience, understand real-world community health issues, and cultivate a sense of social responsibility toward sustainable health and well-being in Thai society.

The project received highly positive feedback, with a 97.8% satisfaction rate from the elderly participants.

Community Health Screening Activity around Chulalongkorn University (March 25, 2024)

On March 25, 2024, at Samyan Market, the Office of Property Management, Chulalongkorn University (PMCU), in collaboration with the “Chula Home Health” Community Innovation Project under the College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, organized a community health screening activity for local residents.

The activity offered basic health check-ups, including blood pressure measurement, heart rate monitoring, and assessments of muscle strength and flexibility in the arms and legs. The services were provided to market vendors, customers, residents in nearby communities, and the general public, helping them gain access to preliminary health screenings, especially for those who may not have regular opportunities to undergo medical check-ups.

This initiative proved valuable in enabling early detection of potential health issues, contributing to the prevention and timely management of diseases. Conducted regularly, such activities not only help promote short-term health and wellness but also raise long-term health awareness among people in the communities surrounding Chulalongkorn University. Ultimately, it supports improved quality of life and helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

[ https://pmcu.co.th/news/28920/ ]

Project: “Colorectal and Liver Cancer Screening for the Public” (12–13 July 2025)

As part of the Public Health Service Program in Celebration of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 70th Birthday Anniversary, the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital under the Thai Red Cross Society, has placed strong emphasis on advancing public health services for the benefit of communities and society at large. These efforts reflect the University’s commitment to fostering good health and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

In this regard, Chulalongkorn University, in cooperation with medical specialists from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University, Siriraj Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, and health service networks in Uthai Thani Province and its surrounding areas, jointly organized the “Colorectal and Liver Cancer Screening for the Public” project at Uthai Thani Provincial Hospital.

The initiative aimed to enhance the quality of life and promote well-being among the elderly, disadvantaged populations, migrants, refugees, and local residents in Uthai Thani Province and adjacent communities by providing access to comprehensive, high-quality medical services.

Screening services included:Colorectal cancer detection using colonoscopy (Colonoscopy screening for colorectal and rectal cancer), and Liver cancer, fatty liver, and liver fibrosis examinations using abdominal ultrasound and FibroScan technologies.

This initiative emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and early disease detection to reduce mortality rates. The number of patients suffering from colorectal and liver cancers has been rising annually across various districts in Uthai Thani and neighboring provinces.

During the two-day operation, a total of 140 elderly and high-risk individuals received medical screening services. Among these, two cases of early-stage colorectal cancer were detected and subsequently referred for curative surgical treatment, while approximately 100 participants were found to have precancerous polyps, which were removed during the colonoscopy procedure. This immediate intervention effectively reduced patient risk and eliminated delays often encountered in the conventional healthcare system.

Furthermore, 200 high-risk individuals underwent screening for liver fibrosis using FibroScan technology. This proactive measure enabled early detection of liver fibrosis, a precursor condition that could potentially progress to liver cancer, thereby allowing timely medical intervention and preventive care.

In conclusion, this project has generated substantial public health benefits for the residents of Uthai Thani Province and nearby areas. Importantly, it represents the first collaborative royal celebration project jointly implemented by Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and the Thai Red Cross Society. The initiative serves as a significant milestone in advancing community health promotion and exemplifies the University’s ongoing dedication to public service and social responsibility.

Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University Unites Four Professions to Promote Sustainable Community Health (20 July 2025)

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University continues to drive community health development through the project “Integrated and Sustainable Community Health Promotion at Ban Khrua.” The initiative is supported by Chulalongkorn University’s Sustainable Development Advancement Program and brings together the expertise of four core disciplines — Physical Therapy, Medical Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Radiological Technology and Medical Physics — in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Public Health Service Center 2 Wat Makasan, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the King Prajadhipok’s Institute’s Peaceful Society Development Program (Batch 15).

The event offered free health check-up services and educational activities provided by professionals from the four disciplines:

• Medical Technology: Blood tests for health assessment, fecal occult blood testing (early detection of colorectal cancer), and dengue infection screening.
• Physical Therapy: Physical fitness assessment, including flexibility, muscle strength, balance, and cardiovascular endurance tests, along with demonstrations of suitable exercise routines.
• Radiological Technology: Bone density measurement at the heel using ultrasound technology, health education on osteoporosis, and diagnostic imaging knowledge sharing.
• Nutrition and Dietetics: Body composition analysis and personalized nutrition consultation.
• Faculty of Nursing: Basic health screening services and mental health promotion activities under the concept “Care for the Body, Care for the Mind.”

The project provides free health screening services for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, underprivileged individuals, migrants, and refugees, reinforcing Chulalongkorn University’s mission to foster inclusive and sustainable community well-being.

The project provides free health screening services for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, underprivileged individuals, migrants, and refugees living in nearby and surrounding communities, reinforcing Chulalongkorn University’s mission to foster inclusive and sustainable community well-being.