Ban Pong Hospital has joined forces with the district public health office and the network of village health volunteers to bring mobile X-ray vans for proactive tuberculosis screening services directly to each subdistrict. The program focuses on high-risk groups, including the elderly and diabetic patients, revealing a national incidence of over 100,000 cases annually. Tags: ["Ban Pong Hospital", "tuberculosis screening", "mobile X-ray", "public health", "Ratchaburi"]
On 16 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that Ban Pong Hospital, in cooperation with the district public health office and village health volunteers, deployed teams to conduct proactive tuberculosis screening using mobile X-ray vans at each subdistrict. The focus is on high-risk groups such as the elderly and diabetic patients. They disclosed that Thailand has over 100,000 TB cases annually and emphasized that anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks or unexplained weight loss should get tested immediately. Treatment is free of charge. Tags: ["tuberculosis", "health screening", "mobile X-ray", "public health", "Ban Pong"]
Many local residents of Suan Kluai Subdistrict, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province—especially elderly individuals and high-risk groups—came to Wat Nong Ya Plong to receive lung X-ray screening for tuberculosis via a mobile X-ray van. Staff from the Disease Prevention and Epidemiology Unit and the Social Medicine Group of Ban Pong Hospital, along with the district public health office, subdistrict health promotion hospitals, and village health volunteers, assisted residents. The aim is to proactively detect early-stage TB patients, reduce transmission within families and communities, lower travel expenses, and ease hospital overcrowding.Tags: ["community health", "tuberculosis screening", "mobile X-ray", "Ban Pong", "Ratchaburi"]
Dr. Wiboon Phattanapadikhon, Director of Ban Pong Hospital, stated that tuberculosis remains a global issue. In Thailand, there are more than 100,000 new cases annually, especially in Health Region 5, where drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) poses a particular challenge due to longer and more difficult treatment. Chest X-ray screening is therefore very important. Previously, some groups—especially the elderly, bedridden patients, or those with low income—found it hard to access hospital services. The introduction of mobile X-ray vans, supported by the Ratchaburi Provincial Administrative Organization, brings screening directly to communities, increasing early detection chances. Anyone living with a TB patient should get a chest X-ray every six months for two years. Warning signs include a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, low-grade evening fever, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Those experiencing these symptoms should seek testing immediately.Tags: ["TB", "mobile health service", "drug-resistant tuberculosis", "public health", "Ban Pong"]
Additionally, attention must be paid to "latent tuberculosis," where the bacteria remain dormant in the body until the immune system weakens and the disease reactivates. Currently, there are standard medications available that can cure this condition completely, and treatment is provided free of charge.Tags: ["latent tuberculosis", "treatment", "public health", "free healthcare"]
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Sompop Huangthong, Ban Pong District Public Health Officer, said that the district has a population exceeding 130,000, including migrant workers in the industrial sector. The goal is to screen more than 90% of high-risk groups, with village health volunteers playing a key role in disseminating information door-to-door. After screening, if abnormalities such as lung lesions or cavities are detected on X-rays, the hospital will conduct sputum tests to confirm diagnosis and immediately begin treatment. The public health team and village volunteers will monitor medication adherence to ensure patients complete their course and fully recover to resume normal lives.Tags: ["public health", "tuberculosis treatment", "community health", "Ban Pong", "village health volunteers"]