On July 16, 2025, the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), and the Cholangiocarcinoma Center of Excellence at Srinakarin Hospital, in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), and partner networks from the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior, the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the National Health Commission Office (NHCO), and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHPF), launched a major national event: the "Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Screening Campaign: Thailand Free from Liver Fluke, No Deaths from Cholangiocarcinoma." The campaign aimed to raise public awareness of the problem, promote self-protection, family and community safety from liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma, and disseminate knowledge on disease prevention, food safety, dietary changes, and health promotion related to liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma among at-risk groups and the general public. Mr. Wichai Chaimongkol, Advisor to the Minister of Public Health, was the honored guest at the event. He presided over the opening ceremony of the festival at the College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University.
The opening ceremony began with a welcoming speech by Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmas, Vice President for Enterprise and Sustainable Society, Khon Kaen University, followed by a report from Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director of the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI). After the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Wisanu Mee-yoo, Deputy Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), spoke about "The Support of the National Science and Technology Development Agency in Addressing Liver Fluke Disease and Cholangiocarcinoma," and Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director of the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), discussed "The Role of the Health Systems Research Institute in Addressing Liver Fluke Disease and Cholangiocarcinoma."
Following that, a panel discussion was held on the topic of "Collaboration among all sectors in addressing the problems of liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma," moderated by Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn (Program Director), with the following participants:
1. Professor Emeritus Suthiporn Jittmitraphap, representative of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT).
2. Dr. Yongjue Laoshirithavorn, Director of the General Communicable Diseases Division, Department of Disease Control.
3. Mr. Jaruk Chairak, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Northeastern Regional Public Policy Office (NRPO).
4. Mr. Charasphong Khamdokrab, Local Government Officer, Nong Khai Province.
5. Associate Professor Dr. Wacharin Loylom, Acting Director of the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute.
Key activities include providing liver fluke screening services using a ready-to-use urine test kit (OV-ATK) for 2,000 at-risk individuals aged 15 years and older. Those found to be infected with liver fluke will receive medication immediately. Additionally, there is a screening service for bile duct cancer using ultrasound for 600 at-risk individuals aged 40 years and older. If abnormalities are detected, individuals will be referred for appropriate treatment.
In addition, there were educational exhibitions on disease prevention, such as booths showcasing disease immunization programs in educational institutions, a booth on "Fluke-free fish – Fluke-free dish," a booth on environmental sanitation systems for a liver fluke-free environment, a booth on raising awareness through traditional Thai folk music (Mor Lam), a booth on "Kosum Phisai Safe: Parasite-Free Fish," and booths from various partner networks showcasing their efforts in addressing liver fluke disease and bile duct cancer, totaling over 10 booths.