The Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), is an autonomous Thai government agency that researches emerging health-related economic, social and political issues.  Its major objective is to achieve effective knowledge management for the Thai Health System.

On January 28, 2022, the HSRI held an online seminar entitled “Entering a new dimension in health system research and development”.

Assistant Professor Dr. Rosawan Areemit, pediatrician and lecturer, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, presented at the seminar on the topic of “Research Techniques: Professional Management Experience”. She shared knowledge on HSRI strategies, professional research techniques, and HSRI research proposal submissions for HSRI funding.

HSRI has continuously adjusted its operations to align with emerging priorities of the Thai public health system. Medicine and public health research plans to focus on the field of treatment screening, drug development and cancer reduction, rare diseases, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and pharmacogenomics groups. In addition, it aims to promote prevention and treatment   the development of the genomics medical industry, to strengthen the health-care system and respond to crises in a timely manner.

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

Retail health clinics are easily accessible walk-in clinics located in retail stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies that treat minor illnesses and provide preventative health care services. Retail health clinics are not intended to address urgent or severe issues but rather to address minor health issues at the patient’s convenience. These alternative treatment facilities allow patients to receive care outside of their primary care clinic’s restrictive office schedules and without having to visit a hospital.  Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University has recently established its first walk-in retail health clinic, MDKKU Service, in the center of Khon Kaen City at Central Plaza Mall.

Central Plaza Mall is working with MD KKU to support the provision these services in their retail center space.

The services provided by MDKKU Service include general disease checkups, prescribing and review of medications, COVID Immunity Test, medical certificates, blood tests for preliminary health check, regular vaccinations and scheduling of medical appointments. This first health service contact in a community setting will reduce hospital congestion and long waiting times there. Instead, MD KKU doctors will assess the symptoms first and coordinate the referral to Srinagarind, or, other hospitals, if necessary.

MDKKU Service is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., including holidays and public holidays. There will be a doctor from 3:30 p.m. every day.

Location: G floor, Central Plaza, Khon Kaen

For more information or to make an appointment phone 091-938 7686 or LINE ID: @759ngnvd (Available during business hours)

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

As the spread of COVID-19 has necessitated more stringent social distancing measures, drive-through services are assisting in resolving physical distancing issue.  There is no need to even leave one’s car, the risk of unnecessarily touching other items or surfaces is reduced with lowered risk of infection. Drive-through services are also quick and convenient, eliminating the need for customers to stay in one place for an extended period of time.

Current analysis of COVID-19 outbreak data shows that Omicron is very infectious but tends to have milder symptoms than earlier variants.  As a result, the trend is to focus primarily on vaccination, particularly in high-risk groups, in order to reduce mortality. Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen university recognizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, especially for bedridden patients or patients who require special assistance.  Srinagarind Hospital has launched a drive through vaccination service to facilitate vaccinations for these special groups of patients.

Srinagarind Hospital, has launched a COVID-19 vaccination service for bedridden patients, or, patients who require special assistance, as well as a drive-thru service for those who an advance appointment.

Srinagarind Hospital Drive–Thru vaccination information:

Available Dates:

January 24-25, 2022

January 27-28, 2022

Appointment process:

1. Appointment Booked: https://kku.world/vaccinedrivethru or QR code.
2. Get an appointment confirmation.
3. Arrive on the date and time of your appointment.

Inform the security guard to bring the car into the area that has been prepared.

Locations: Parking lot near the Library Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

(Google map: 16°28’11.6″N 102°49’45.8″E)

How to get to Medical Library KKU (Library of the Faculty of Medicine, KKU)

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact +66 (0)43363093

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

On January 19, 2022, Associate Professor Dr. Charnchai, KKU president and chairman of KKU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Committee, said KKU has achieved a very high vaccination rate among its students and staff. About 98 percent of KKU’s students and personnel are fully COVID vaccinated and are now receiving booster shots, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions and the elderly. Given this, KKU plans to return to onsite classes for the new semester beginning in May.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) COVID-19 situation report indicates that the Delta variant is still the dominant strain in Thailand accounting for 70–80% of cases.  However, the Omicron variant is proving far more transmissible than Delta, and there is a rapidly increasing rate of Omicron cases detected in the country.  Despite the higher transmission rate, Omicron symptoms do not appear as severe as those of Delta. The DDC said most Omicron infections were asymptomatic, and the virus was mostly found in the windpipe.  The infected generally suffer from a cough, sore throat, fever, muscle pains, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath and temporary loss of smell.  For the earlier variants, Alpha, Beta and delta, patients will commonly experience fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headache and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include shivering, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in the skin tone of fingers and toes, red eyes, rashes and temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste.

While Omicron appears to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it should not be categorized as mild.  Vaccination has proven to be one of the most effective public health strategies to avoid infection, or reduce symptom severity if infected.

The Education Ministry has announced measures for limiting COVID-19 spread in education institutions nationwide. Each institution is to conduct a “Thai Stop Covid Plus” assessment, to evaluate their COVID-19 control measures. They have to follow DMHT-RC (distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, testing, reducing congestion and cleaning) and SSET-CQ (self-care, using serving spoons, eating freshly cooked meals, using a tracking system, check and quarantine) measures.  If students and/or education personnel test positive for Covid-19, the institutions have to strictly follow disease-control protocols and closely coordinate with health facilities. KKU is working with the provincial communicable disease committees, and strictly adheres to disease-control measures to ensure the safety of students and staff.  We look forward to onsite classes again as the situation stabilizes.

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

The results of the QS Asia University Rankings 2022 were announced on November 2, 2021.  From the 675 universities participating, Khon Kaen University was ranked as 5^th in Thailand and 133^rd in Asia.  It is also ranked #801-1000 in QS Global World Rankings 2022, and ranked 351–400 for Medicine.

Khon Kaen university is 5th top public university in Thailand

The QS Asia University Rankings are based on 11 key indicators including academic and employer reputations, the number of staff holding a PhD, and the percentage of international students. The methodology used to create the ranking is similar to that used to create the QS World University Rankings, but with a few additional indicators and weightings. This set of criteria, developed in collaboration with regional experts and stakeholders, is intended to reflect key priorities for Asian universities by utilizing as much available data as possible.

The 11 indicators used to compile the QS Asia University Rankings are as follows:

1. Academic reputation (30%)
2. Employer reputation (20%)
3. Faculty/student ratio (10%)
4. International research network (10%)
5. Citations per paper (10%)
6. Papers per faculty (5%)
7. Staff with a PhD (5%)
8. Proportion of international faculty (2.5%)
9. Proportion of international students (2.5%)
10. Proportion of inbound exchange students (2.5%)
11. Proportion of outbound exchange students (2.5%)

The overall results of the QS Asia University Rankings are published in an interactive online table, which allows users to compare universities’ performance on individual indicators, or view those with the highest combined scores. To fully access the table, you need to log in or register as a site member – this is free and allows you to access exclusive content and resources.

(Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2022)

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.