Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul received Mahidol University-B. Braun Prize for Medicine and Thai Public Health 2008

Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul, head of the Rural E.N.T. Project and committee member of the Royal College of Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons of Thailand, received the Mahidol University-B. Braun Prize for Medicine and Thai Public Health 2008.

Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayathorn, President of Mahidol University announced that Mahidol University and B. Braun (Thailand) Public Co. Ltd. organized the 16th annual Mahidol University-B. Braun Prize for Medicine and Thai Public Health to recognize medical personnel who dedicate and sacrifice themselves to uphold the profession as well as carry out research to advance medical treatment, that benefited Thai and the humanity. The winner will receive 700,000 Baht and receive the certificate from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Mahidol University graduation commencement ceremony on July 15th, 2008 at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall. This year, the recipient of this award will be Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul, leader of the Rural E.N.T. Project and committee member of the Royal College of Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons of Thailand.

In the past, Thailand has only 26 ENT specialists. Most of the experts taught in various medical schools, so there were not enough specialist available. Many Thai people in the rural area died from abscess rupture into the brain, which was a direct result from untreated cholesteatoma / severe otitis media. The patients, who lack access and fund suffer from chronic disease state, because they did not have the chance to receive treatment in Bangkok. Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul gathered medical specialists to form the Rural Ear Nose and Throat Foundation of Thailand. He then modified large medical instrument into smaller size, which was convenient for mobile medical unit. The instruments that were modified include surgical equipment that can be disassembled and reassembled, and modified ENT diagnostic kit that are small enough to be carried for diagnosis and surgery. He also helped developed and produce digital screening audiometers that is easy and cheap. This innovation was presented to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for further use in deaf and hearing impaired students in schools across the country.

It has been over 30 years that Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul and the mobile unit of the Rural Ear Nose and Throat Foundation provided free of charge service to patients in the community hospital, especially the rural areas where economic status is low and transportation is problematic. Medical service also extended through the country and to the other countries such as India, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern part of China, Bhutan, and Kenya. Over 120,000 patients received the service, and surgical operation was carried out to no less than 12,000 patients. The operation was for the treatment of cholesteatoma / otitis, which prevented deafness and death from abscess rupture. The patients can then have a better quality of life and more effective in communication.

From this achievement, Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul received recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation Development Program. This success story was documented into film production, which was translated into German, French, and Spanish, and was distributed to 70 countries. The Reader’s Digest Magazine also published the story and the work of Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul.

Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayathorn stated that because of the dedication to surgical operation in the rural area both in the country and underdeveloped countries for more than 30 years, Dr.Salyaveth Lekagul received recognition at the national and international level. From his dedication, he clearly deserves the Mahidol University-B. Braun Prize for Medicine and Thai Public Health 2008. He will receive the Certificate from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Mahidol University Commencement Ceremony on July 15th, 2008 at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall.

Post Date : July 8, 2008