Bangkok, Thailand – AstraZeneca Thailand advances partnership with Phrapokklao Hospital in Chanthaburi. Building on the success of leveraging AI technology for lung cancer screening since 2023, this collaboration aims to enhance access to early detection for residents in the province and surrounding areas. This year, the partnership’s scope has expanded to include comprehensive diagnosis and personalized treatment for individual patients. A robust patient referral network is being established to ensure seamless, continuous care. The initiative will initially focus on lung and liver cancer patients, support access to genetic mutation testing, and raising public awareness of the critical importance of early cancer screening—a key factor in improving survival rates.
Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi, serves as a central hospital in the eastern region, covering patients from 8 hospitals in Chanthaburi, Trat, Sa Kaeo, and three districts of Rayong. The Centre of Excellence in Cancer operates under the vision that “Cancer can be cured if given the opportunity to be treated”. Each year, approximately 2,000 new cancer patients receive treatment at this center, including up to 200 new cases of lung cancer, most of which are diagnosed at advanced stage. Prapokklao Hospital and its network hospitals aim to identify patients in the earlier stages of the disease, leading to a collaboration with AstraZeneca to implement AI technology for lung cancer screening in 2023. This initiative also extends to detecting other lung conditions such as emphysema, asthma, and tuberculosis, as well as heart diseases such as heart failure. Furthermore, the hospital is a potential site which got accredited as Clinical Research Centre, dedicated to studying and advancing new drug therapies for cancer patients.
Theeraphong Tunakh, M.D., Director of Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi, states, “The Centre of Excellence in Cancer at Prapokklao Hospital has continuously been a cornerstone of cancer care in the eastern region, addressing cancer as one of Thailand’s most pressing public health challenges. This partnership represents a significant milestone in enhancing cancer care by integrating Prapokklao Hospital’s clinical expertise with AstraZeneca’s innovative medical technologies. The collaboration spans all aspects of cancer management—from raising public awareness and early-stage screening, advancing diagnostic systems with AI technology, and providing personalized precision treatments through genetic analysis, to conducting international research focused on lung and liver cancers, which are prevalent in the Thai population. Moreover, we are committed to developing an efficient patient referral network and enhancing the capabilities of medical professionals through training and academic seminars. These efforts aim to deliver high-quality, internationally standardized care while positioning this project as a national model for the future development of cancer care systems.”
The perspective of Mr. Roman Ramos, Country President of AstraZeneca Thailand and Frontier Markets, reveals that “non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to pose a significant health challenge in Thailand, with cancer being a leading concern. Through this collaboration with Phrapokklao Hospital, AstraZeneca is leveraging advanced AI innovation to enhance the efficiency of lung cancer screening and extending its application to liver cancer detection. Our goal is to support the Center of Excellence in Cancer at Phrapokklao Hospital in delivering more comprehensive and impactful care for cancer patients.”
“With cancer detection rates among Thai people rising each year, AstraZeneca underscores the importance of promoting early screening to help reduce mortality rates. Early detection allows patients to access treatment more quickly, mitigates the severity of disease, and enhances doctors' ability to plan tailored and effective treatments. AstraZeneca is confident that this collaboration with Phrapokklao Hospital in Chanthaburi will play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life and lowering cancer mortality rates in Thailand. Additionally, as last November marked Lung Cancer Awareness Month, this initiative reflects AstraZeneca’s steadfast commitment to empowering Thai people to avoid serious illnesses. Ensuring good health for all remains a core objective driving all our initiatives,” Mr. Roman Ramos concludes.
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About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (Securities abbreviation, AZN on LSE/STO/Nasdaq stock exchanges) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and distributing medicines for medicinal purposes, particularly the group of drugs among cancer, heart disease, kidney, metabolic system, and respiratory disease. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and has millions of patients worldwide benefiting from its innovative medicines. For more information, please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the company on facebook.com/AstraZeneca.TH
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