On May 21, 2025, the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wacharin Loylom, Director of the Institute, participated in the “Udon Thani Liver Fluke-Free Health Promotion Fair, Fiscal Year 2025”. Mr. Rachan Soonhua, Governor of Udon Thani Province, presided over the opening ceremony, and Dr. Somchai Choti Piyavachara, Provincial Public Health Officer of Udon Thani, gave a report at the Thongyai Auditorium, Udon Thani Provincial Hall.
The event included lectures on: “Policy promoting the use of rapid urine-based liver fluke detection kits (OV-Antigen Rapid Test Kit)” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wacharin Loylom, Director of the Institute; “The situation of liver fluke infection, behavioral changes, and measures to eliminate liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma” by Mr. Boonthien Asarin, Senior Public Health Specialist, Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 8, Udon Thani; and “Driving a waste management system to break the liver fluke life cycle” by Mr. Rueangyot Boonphakdee, Senior Public Health Specialist, Public Health Center Region 8, Udon Thani. This was followed by a panel discussion on “Important aspects of promoting a liver fluke-free Udon Thani,” with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wacharin Loylom, Director of the Institute; Ms. Oranong Kotthakho, Assistant Teacher, Songpluey Dong Sam Sip School; Ms. Jaruda Wipaya, Head of Public Health Administration, Nakhon Kha Subdistrict Administrative Organization; and Ms. Khwanchanok Siriwatthanakarn, Head of Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, and Drug Control Group, Provincial Public Health Office, Udon Thani.
On this occasion, the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, in collaboration with the Disease Control and Prevention Office Region 8 in Udon Thani Province, provided liver fluke screening services to project participants. 78 people received screening, and 29 were found to be infected with liver flukes, representing 37.18%. These individuals have already received treatment.