A royally granted mobile health unit is helping patients in remote areas of Mae Hong Son gain faster and easier access to healthcare services while reducing travel costs.
Dr Thanin Wechapinan, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said Their Majesties the King and Queen provided the mobile health vehicle to support medical outreach missions in remote communities where residents face difficulties accessing public healthcare services.
The vehicle has been deployed to provide medical examinations, treatment, health screening and telemedicine consultations for patients living in isolated areas of Mae Hong Son province.
The initiative also supports harm reduction programmes for drug users by expanding long-term methadone treatment services in communities. Dr Thanin said the mobile methadone service helped patients access treatment more conveniently, reduced travel expenses and encouraged more patients to enter the healthcare system.
"The service helps patients return to normal lives while strengthening cooperation between healthcare workers and local community networks," he said
Dr Worapakthorn Kongpesalaphun, director of Thanyarak Mae Hong Son Hospital, said the royally granted vehicle had strengthened the hospital's ability to deliver healthcare and methadone treatment services to remote communities. The programme operates with five local health promotion hospitals in Pang Mapha, Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi and Sop Moei districts
