On April 30, 2026, the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watcharin Loylom, Director of the Institute, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Attapol Titapan, Head of the Cholangiocarcinoma Center of Excellence at Srinakarin Hospital, held the “Opening Ceremony of the Center of Excellence for Liver and Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Care at Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital, Nong Khai Province” and the “Workshop on Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Care.” Dr. Surapong Padungwiang, Provincial Public Health Officer of Nong Khai, presided over the opening ceremony. Dr. Poranee Pornwattana, Director of Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital, gave a welcoming speech and presented a report, while Dr. Thongchai Keeratihathayakon, Program Director, discussed the background of the program and its key objectives: “Thailand Free from Liver Fluke Disease and No Deaths from Cholangiocarcinoma,” a project aimed at developing the capacity for cholangiocarcinoma patient care. The event took place at the ISAN Hall, 2nd floor, Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital, Nong Khai Province.

This activity is a collaboration between the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, the Cholangiocarcinoma Medical Excellence Center at Srinakarin Hospital, Khon Kaen University, the Health Systems Research Institute, the Nong Khai Provincial Public Health Office, and Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital. Its objectives are to enhance the capabilities of healthcare facilities in the area, improve the capacity of personnel involved in screening and treating cholangiocarcinoma patients, exchange experiences, jointly plan service development, and create a network for addressing liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma in all aspects: prevention, screening, and treatment.

The event is scheduled for three days, from April 30th to May 2nd, 2026. April 30th will feature the opening ceremony of the Center of Excellence for Liver and Cholangiocarcinoma Care at Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital, Nong Khai Province, followed by academic lectures to enhance the capacity for cholangiocarcinoma care. Topics include: “Action Research Plan for Solving Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Problems in Health Regions 7, 8, 9, and 10” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watcharin Loylom, Director of the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute; “Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Care at Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital, Nong Khai Province, and Current Treatment Guidelines” by Dr. Wannathanachai Rodchomphu, Somdej Phra Yuparat Thabho Hospital; and “Patient Selection and Pre-operative Management in Perihilar CCA” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Attaphol Titapan, Head of the Center of Excellence for Cholangiocarcinoma. The presentations included: “Update management of cholangiocarcinoma” by Dr. Wasin Thanasukarn, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University; “Biliary drainage for cholangiocarcinoma patients” by Dr. Chalermpol Boonmee, Tha Bo Hospital; “Post-endoscopic patient care” by Nurses Apinya Paramee and Prajak Thongthip, Tha Bo Hospital; “Palliative care for terminally ill patients” by Dr. Komkrit Thiamklang, Anesthesiologist, Tha Bo Hospital; and “Palliative care nursing for end-stage cholangiocarcinoma patients” by Nurse Jamriang Promma, Tha Bo Hospital. This was followed by a case conference with the multidisciplinary team to discuss pre-operative patient preparation.

Similarly, on May 1st, the program began with lectures on “Pre- and Post-Surgical Liver Surgery Management using ERAS Protocol” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukanya Pakdeesongkram, Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University; “Post-Surgical Nursing Care for Cholangiocarcinoma Patients” by Ms. Supattra Sripakdee, Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) for Cholangiocarcinoma, Srinakarin Hospital; and “Management of Medical Excellence Centers and Preparation for Disease-Specific Accreditation” by Ms. Chuanpis Sunee, Center of Excellence for Cholangiocarcinoma, Srinakarin Hospital. This was followed by a live surgery demonstration of cholangiocarcinoma patients, a sharing of experiences in patient referral, and a bedside teaching demonstration of post-operative patient care. Finally, post-operative patient follow-up and evaluation took place on May 2nd.