Bangkok: The government is advancing measures to address the challenges of an aging society, with a particular focus on supporting the "Walk Together" project to mitigate the risk of bone fractures among the elderly. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, highlighted that Thailand has officially transitioned into a 'complete aging society', as evidenced by population registration statistics. In 2022, the country recorded 12.1 million individuals aged 60 and above, representing 18.3% of the total population. This demographic shift has led to health concerns, notably falls resulting in fractures, which require urgent intervention. Hip fractures, in particular, pose a significant risk, with a mortality rate ranging from 30-50% within a year if left untreated. Ministry of Public Health data indicates a continuous rise in hip fracture cases, from 23,426 patients in 2006 to 34,246 in 2025, with projections of 56,443 patients by 2050.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Karam stated that in response to this growing concern, the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, the Orthopaedic Association of Thailand, the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Krungthai Computer Services Co., Ltd., and various network partners have launched the 'Walk for Good Together' project. This initiative aims to prevent falls among the elderly by leveraging digital technology to monitor health through the 'Health Bag' system on the 'Paotang' application and LINE @NHSO. This technology-driven approach facilitates systematic health monitoring and data collection to support the development of a system that prevents hip fractures and assesses the economic impact, enabling precise risk assessment and strategic planning.
The project's pilot implementation across 11 provinces and 1 district showed promising results, with a 10% reduction in the rate of new and repeated falls. Additionally, the mortality rate one year post-hip fracture surgery dropped to 15%. Seventy percent of the elderly in participating areas gained access to risk assessment and monitoring services. The government also prioritized enhancing the quality of life for the elderly by focusing on accident prevention and severity reduction. The integration of technology in healthcare is deemed crucial for developing a sustainable public health system in light of the aging population.