On March 12, 23 students from the Health & Wellbeing Specialization courses at the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII) got an inside look at Thailand’s evolving healthcare system during a visit to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Accompanied by instructors Dr. Sébastien Bertin-Maghit and Dr. Maxime Hervé, the visit offered students a unique opportunity to engage with the country’s top public health experts and explore how innovation is shaping the future of healthcare in Thailand.
Digital Health in Action
The day centered around Thailand’s national digital health platform, an ambitious project that connects over 1,000 hospitals under the MoPH. Students learned how the platform streamlines medical record sharing, improves hospital efficiency, and helps balance the workload across healthcare staff. The MoPH team - Dr. Supharerk Thawillarp, Dr. Sutham Jirapanakorn, Dr. Panupong Tantirat, and Dr. Nitchanund Tantisirivit - also shared insights into the challenges of digital transformation, including the need for robust cybersecurity and sustainable implementation strategies.
Asking the Right Questions
From mental health and NCDs to climate change and cancer care, students asked thoughtful questions that sparked lively discussion. Thoughtful inquiry is a cornerstone of innovation, and this session showed just how powerful a well-placed question can be in uncovering deeper insights and generating new ideas. By engaging directly with experts, students were not only able to clarify their understanding but also challenge assumptions and explore real-world complexities. Afterward, Dr. Thawillarp praised the session as “very interesting and fun,” highlighting the students’ curiosity and depth of understanding. These conversations provided a clearer view of the Ministry’s priorities and the direction Thailand’s healthcare system is heading in the years to come.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
As a result, the visit to the MoPH left a lasting impression on the students. Pichamon Na Takuathung, a second-year BAScii student, reflected:
“I learned about the Personal Health Record (PHR), telemedicine, AI in healthcare, and the legal and communication aspects of digital health. It was a valuable experience that gave me insights I wouldn’t have explored on my own.”
By connecting classroom knowledge with real-world application, CSII continues to provide students with hands-on, forward-looking experiences that prepare them to lead in fields where innovation meets impact.
