Khon Kaen, 26 March 2025: A delegation from the ERIA Healthcare, together with Medical Excellence Japan (MEJ) and Medical Excellence Thailand (ME Thailand), was invited by the Faculty of Medicine of Thailand’s Khon Kaen University (MDKKU) for an official meeting to discuss potential international collaborations across various clinical and healthcare projects.

Located in the heart of Isan, Thailand’s largest region, Khon Kaen plays a pivotal role in the country’s education, economy, and healthcare, serving one-third of Thailand’s population. MDKKU’s mission is to provide high-quality general practice and community health services while also acting as a collaborative research centre focused on addressing priority health challenges in the region. The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations between ERIA and Thailand’s academic community in healthcare research.

The meeting began with remarks from Assoc. Prof. Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of MDKKU, followed by a series of presentations. Prof. Kenji Shibuya (MEJ) and Chayaporn Phornprapha (ME Thailand) outlined MEJ and ME Thailand’s commitment to fostering multisectoral collaboration in the medical and healthcare sectors in Thailand and the wider ASEAN region.

Dr Manami Uechi (ERIA) introduced ERIA’s role in economic, research, and educational development across ASEAN and East Asia. She also presented the Medical Excellence in Asia (MEX) initiative, which seeks to promote health and well-being through tailored projects that are designed to address the specific needs and priorities of each country through a multisectoral collaboration involving the academia, private sector, and government.

MDKKU’s associate professors also showcased their leading research projects. Assoc. Prof. Sirirat Anutrakulchai, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation MDKKU, outlined the advancements of medical technologies and facilities at the Kidney Centre of Srinagarind Hospital. Assoc. Prof. Woraluck Somboonporn from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology discussed initiatives focused on menopause and women’s reproductive healthcare at MDKKU, aimed at improving women’s health and well-being. Assoc. Prof. Sutas Suttiprapa, Head of Department of Tropical Medicine, addressed the strategy and impact of Opisthorchis viverrini-associated cholangiocarcinoma through the Lawa Model. Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. Watcharin Loilome, Director of the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, highlighted regional efforts to address the endemic cancer affecting a large number of populations in the Mekong region and the institute’s notable accomplishments.

Following the presentations, a discussion session explored potential areas of collaboration. The session was attended by delegates from ERIA, MEJ, and ME Thailand, along with prominent faculty members from MDKKU. The visit ended with a tour to MDKKU’s Kidney Excellence Centre and Cellular Therapy Centre, a leading clinical and laboratory centre specialising in cell therapy and regenerative medicine in the region.