Throughout 2024, Chiang Mai University demonstrated its commitment to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations across northern Thailand. The university organized comprehensive health service programmes aimed at poverty alleviation through direct healthcare delivery to underserved communities. These initiatives provided critical basic services to low-income residents in remote areas of Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, addressing healthcare inequalities that often trap economically vulnerable families in cycles of poor health and deprivation.
Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences: Mobile Health Clinics
 |
 |
The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences led nine community health outreach activities throughout the year, reaching populations with limited economic resources. On 17 February 2024, teams collaborated with San Pong Subdistrict Municipality in Mae Rim District, providing comprehensive health screenings including blood tests, chest X-rays, consultations for back and waist pain, dementia screening, mental health assessments, and speech therapy services. These free services removed financial barriers for poor families who otherwise struggle to afford preventive healthcare.
 |
 |
Mobile clinics extended to Doi Lo District on 9 March 2024 and Mae Ka Subdistrict in Saen Pa Tong District on 11 May 2024. Each programme offered similar comprehensive screenings at no cost, ensuring vulnerable populations could access essential health assessments. On 25 May 2024, services at San Pa Tong Municipality continued addressing healthcare deprivation. June services on 15 June 2024 in Pa Sak, Lamphun Province, and activities on 6 July 2024 in Sri Bua Ban maintained this pattern of bringing healthcare directly to communities lacking adequate medical facilities. The programmes specifically targeted areas where poverty limits healthcare access, providing economic resources in the form of free medical services.
Collaborative Community Health Initiatives
 |
 |
On 27 July 2024, a special commemorative programme at Muang Loen Municipality in San Sai District celebrated royal occasions while delivering health services to underserved populations. Additional programmes on 28 July 2024 at the Senior Wellness Promotion Center partnered with Prom Health Center for free health screenings. December brought an extensive collaboration on 5 December 2024 at Ban Mae Pang School in Phrao District, where the university partnered with the Boonrawd Brewery Mobile Medical Unit and Singha Volunteer Foundation. This programme served over three hundred community members, including comprehensive health screenings, dementia assessments, mental health evaluations, and child development assessments, addressing multiple dimensions of poverty-related health challenges.
Dental and Nursing Faculty Contributions
 |
 |
The Faculty of Dentistry organized National Dental Public Health Day on 21 October 2024, providing free dental services including oral health examinations, fillings, extractions, emergency treatments, and pediatric dentistry. This event aimed to serve more than one thousand individuals, removing financial barriers to oral health care. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Nursing conducted a volunteer nursing camp from 1-3 November 2024 at Ban Pa Kluay Phattana School in Mae Soi, Chom Thong District, promoting health education and wellness activities that strengthen community resilience against health-related economic vulnerability.
Conclusion
These programmes represent systematic efforts to improve access to basic services for economically disadvantaged communities. By delivering free healthcare directly to vulnerable populations in remote areas throughout 2024, the university addresses social protection needs while supporting poverty reduction. The initiatives demonstrate how educational institutions can serve as catalysts for improving welfare and livelihood opportunities through essential health service delivery, creating pathways out of poverty for underserved communities.
Source :