Launch of the Lung Health Centre
Recently, Vimut Hospital launched the Lung Health Centre, providing comprehensive respiratory care. The lungs, vital to the respiratory system, face increasing health threats worldwide—respiratory diseases rank as the third leading cause of death globally.
Rising patient numbers are linked not only to infections but also lifestyle factors such as vaping and chronic non-communicable diseases like obesity, all affecting lung health.
Dr Tulthon Wongmeatanukroh, a specialist in respiratory medicine and critical care, explained that everyone breathes with risk factors determined by what they inhale.
Risks include pathogens, behaviours (e.g., vaping), genetic conditions, and ageing, all impacting lung health. Therefore, lung health monitoring and early symptom detection are crucial.
Early signs that may indicate lung problems include coughing (with or without sputum), unusual shortness of breath during normal activities, abnormal breathing sounds, or chest pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should promptly consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Advanced Arthritis & Arthroplasty Centre Prepares for an Ageing Society
According to industry analysis reports, Thailand’s private hospital sector revenue is projected to grow in 2025, driven mainly by the expanding foreign patient market and increased global health awareness.
Private hospitals are rapidly enhancing their medical technologies and services to meet increasingly diverse and complex healthcare needs.
Recently, Bumrungrad Hospital has upgraded its Advanced Arthritis & Arthroplasty Centre (AAA) to address Thailand’s transition into a fully ageing society. This demographic shift has led to a rise in osteoarthritis cases, a condition closely linked to advancing age.
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that in 2019, approximately 528 million people worldwide suffered from osteoarthritis, with 73% aged over 55 and 60% being women.
In Thailand, over 6 million people are affected by knee osteoarthritis.
Prof Dr Aree Tanavalee, Head of the Advanced Arthritis & Arthroplasty Centre, explains that osteoarthritis of the knee and hip is not confined to the elderly but also affects working-age individuals who have sedentary lifestyles, limited physical activity, or engage in improper sports practices, all of which can accelerate joint degeneration.
Although osteoarthritis is not life-threatening, inadequate treatment significantly impacts quality of life. Without early and proper care, the condition can cause restricted mobility, joint deformities, and severe limitations in daily activities.
The centre addresses growing and complex medical demands with a team of specialists, robotic-assisted surgery, advanced pain management techniques, and comprehensive personalised care. It specialises in complex surgeries, aiming for prosthetic implants to last at least 25 years or a lifetime after surgery.
Wellness and Medical Service Hub
At a recent meeting of the Steering Committee for Developing Thailand as an International Health Hub (Wellness and Medical Service Hub), approval was given to the strategic plan for advancing Thailand as a global wellness and medical service centre from 2025 to 2034.
By 2034, the goal is for Thailand to be recognised as a world-class international health hub and a comprehensive medical industry centre, with sustainable growth in the health economy. This will be driven by six subcommittees focused on various strategic areas:
Medical Service Hub Subcommittee
Promotes health services such as medical treatment, aesthetic medicine, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), gender reassignment, and dental care for international patients visiting Thailand.
Wellness Hub Subcommittee
Focuses on enhancing wellness services, including Thai massage and other health promotion services for foreigners, while building value in wellness care.
Product Hub Subcommittee
Drives value creation in health and wellness services and promotes the use of Thai herbal products.
Academic Hub Subcommittee
Works to elevate medical and health promotion professions to support health tourism, promote high-value medical research, establish professional councils for aesthetics, and create associations for advanced medical products in Thailand.
Health Convention and Exhibition Hub Subcommittee
Develops an ecosystem for hosting medical and health academic conferences in Thailand, facilitating international academic participation, and promoting these events through online media.
Facilitation Subcommittee for Health Business and Products
Focuses on improving laws, regulations, and procedures to ease business operations and creating a centralised e-marketplace platform for wellness and medical products to support the strategic development of Thailand as an international health hub.
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