Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai and Vejdusit Foundation Launch ‘Bring Back Clean Air to Youth Project’ to Combat PM 2.5 Pollution

Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai collaborates with the Vejdusit Foundation to launch the “Bring Back Clean Air to Youth Project.” Dr. Arisada Pitchayadechakoon, M.D., Assistant Director of Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, participated in the ceremony, contributing to the delivery of air-filled boxes and a clean room for the Suthep Subdistrict Municipality Child Development Center's multi-purpose facility.

The 'Bring Back Clean Air to Youth Project' is a collaborative effort involving various public and private organizations, including the Health Science Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Vejdusit Foundation, Lalita PPO Company Limited, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, and Bangkok Hospital Chiang Rai. This initiative is particularly crucial for children in Thailand's northern provinces, classified as a high-risk group due to their small stature and rapid respiration. They are more susceptible to inhaling PM 2.5 at higher rates than adults, raising concerns about the potential health effects. This is especially worrisome for children with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, chronic pulmonary illness, cardiovascular disease, and allergic rhinitis.

Hospital staff collaborated to develop a workshop on 'Clean Rooms for Children's Centers' and collectively crafted 'Clean Air Boxes,' which are DIY aerators and air purifiers. These clean rooms will be supplied to 10 child development centers in Chiang Mai Municipality, with the ultimate objective of extending this initiative to all 26 child development centers. The aim is to provide clean, safe, and dust-free air, particularly during the PM 2.5 season.

Furthermore, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, as a Green Hospital under BDMS, promotes environmental responsibility awareness in alignment with the BDMS Earth Healthcare policy to address environmental challenges sustainably. In collaboration with the Health Science Research Institute at Chiang Mai University, the NTAQHI air quality meter has been installed at this location to monitor daily air quality in real-time. This information is then relayed to an application, allowing the display of air quality ratings for the residents of Chiang Mai. This initiative aims to empower individuals to take prompt actions for their well-being based on current air quality conditions.