Chulalongkorn Hospital's Integrated Cancer Center Project.

Cancer: The Number 1 Cause of Death in Thailand

The Cancer Situation in Thailand

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Thailand, claiming the lives of approximately 84,000 people each year. There are over 140,000 new cancer patients annually, which equates to about 400 new cases every day. This number continues to rise, and the exact cause of this increase remains unclear.

The five most common types of cancer in Thailand are:

·         Liver and bile duct cancer

·         Lung cancer

·         Breast cancer

·         Colorectal cancer

·         Cervical cancer

The number of new cancer patients is increasing due to the rising incidence of the disease. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, sees approximately 350 new and returning patients in its OPD daily. The current inpatient service area is limited, requiring patients to register and be examined at the Phor Por Ror building along with patients suffering from other illnesses. Additionally, since most cancer patients are unable to help themselves, they often bring at least two relatives, bringing the total number of people to about 1,000 per day. This overcrowding at the Phor Por Ror building increases the risk of infection.

Furthermore, advancements in cancer treatment technology for both diagnosis and treatment require new patients to see multiple cancer specialists across several appointments before receiving appropriate treatment. The schedules of these specialists don't always align, forcing patients to make multiple appointments. The buildings currently used for cancer treatment are old and have limited space, making it impossible to expand inpatient services. The hospital's radiology equipment is also old and needs to be replaced. These machines are essential for providing radiation therapy to more than 2,500 patients a year, so there's an urgent need for additional equipment.

Chulalongkorn Hospital's Integrated Cancer Treatment Center

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, has a plan to upgrade its cancer care capabilities by renovating four old buildings—Kakkhanang and Navamindrarajini buildings, the Elisabeth building, and the Wongwanit building—into the Integrated Cancer Treatment Center. This new center will be a 9-story building connected to the 11-story Navamindrarajini building, allowing for an expansion of services to accommodate more cancer patients.

The total cost of this project is estimated at 1.227 billion Baht. This includes costs that aren't covered by government subsidies, such as procuring new medical equipment for screening, diagnosis, and treatment to replace the old machines. The project began in 2017 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. In 2025, Thai Red Cross Society must urgently raise around 600 million Baht to ensure the Integrated Cancer Treatment Center can open on time in 2026.

Project Goals:

The Integrated Cancer Treatment Center will be able to accommodate a greater number of cancer patients, significantly improving their quality of life.

·         Outpatient Capacity: The current OPD capacity of 300 patients per day will increase to 400 patients per day due to the expanded service area.

·         Radiology & Diagnosis: The waiting period for a diagnosis with radiology equipment is projected to be reduced from six months to no more than two months.

·         Chemotherapy: For walk-in patients, the hospital's ability to provide chemotherapy will increase from 80% to 100%, serving approximately 150 more patients per month.

·         Scheduled Appointments: The number of patients with scheduled appointments will increase from 1,200 to 1,900 per month.

·         Thyroid Cancer (IPD): The inpatient waiting period for thyroid cancer treatment will be reduced from 10-12 weeks to no more than 5 weeks.

·         Thyroid Cancer (Day Care): The number of patients receiving radioactive mineral treatment on a day-care basis will increase from 5 to 10 patients per month.

·         Reduced Patient Journey: The number of steps for a patient to see a doctor will be reduced from more than six to approximately four to five steps, shortening the diagnostic process by one to two months.