Department of Medical Sciences Preparing to set up a center of excellence to provide Down syndrome screening services. Cervical cancer and tuberculosis at 15 medical science centers nationwide Hopefully people will have access to services covering all regions.
Dr. Yongyot Thamwut, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health Acting Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, along with Dr. Pichet Banyat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences Dr. Banlang Upaphong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, Dr. Piya Sirilak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences Executives of central agencies and directors of 15 medical science centers visited the area to inspect the operations of the Excellent diagnosis center for maternal and child health of the 3rd Medical Science Center. Nakhon Sawan
Dr. Yongyot said after the visit that Medical Sciences Center 3, Nakhon Sawan, has outstanding work in Down syndrome screening. It is a laboratory with the largest service size in Southeast Asia. And currently, screening has been developed using the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) method, which is a screening test for the risk of abnormalities. The chromosomes of the fetus from the mother's blood are accurate at 99% and are more sensitive and accurate than the Quadruple Test (QT) method previously used. The Department of Medical Sciences will work with relevant agencies to push for testing. Screening for Down syndrome using the NIPT method to continue receiving benefits in the health insurance system. which is safer for the fetus than amniocentesis To ensure quality of new born children It is an important force in the country's future development. It also reduces the doctor's workload in amniocentesis.
In addition, the 3rd Medical Sciences Center, Nakhon Sawan, also has outstanding work in cervical cancer screening using the HPV DNA test, which can detect all 14 strains at high risk of causing cervical cancer. Based on the results of its work, In 2021, 28,870 samples were received for screening from provinces in the area of responsibility. High-risk strains were detected in 2,220 cases, accounting for 7.69 percent. In 2022, 13,309 samples were received. High-risk strains were detected in 1,133 cases, accounting for 8.51 percent. And in 2023, a mouth cancer screening model was developed. womb Using a self-sampling kit (HPV Self-Sampling) piloted in Chainat Province through the Community Medical Science Network of the Department of Medical Sciences. together with network partners related at all levels, developing the potential of community medical science village health volunteers Visited the area to educate the target group of women on how to collect their own specimens for examination. with staff from the Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital community hospital District Public Health Office Serve as a mentor and leader of the sample collection service unit, recording data, sending samples, becoming a prototype. Reduce the incidence of cervical cancer through provincial integration. In the area of Chainat province This makes Chainat Province the number 1 screening rate for cervical cancer among Thai women aged 30-60 years in the country. From 19,961 samples received, cells were detected in as many as 19,586 samples, accounting for 98.8 percent. The results detected high-risk strains. A total of 1,785 cases, accounting for 9.11 percent. The top 5 high-risk strains found are HPV 16, 52, 58, 66 and 68, consistent with sample collection by medical personnel in 2021-2022. Some strains of the cervical cancer vaccine not yet covered Success in proactive cervical cancer screening using a highly effective self-collection kit. This allows Thai women in remote areas to have access to a comprehensive health service system. Helps detect traces of disease quickly. and leads to faster treatment
Dr. Yongyot said that in order for people in every area to have access to the health service system. Department of Medical Sciences Therefore, we are preparing to develop the potential of 15 medical science centers spread across all regions, covering all 12 health zones, by establishing centers of excellence. The focus is on 3 areas: screening for Down syndrome; Cervical cancer screening and tuberculosis testing (Tuberculosis : TB) moves towards TB zero in 2030 within 100 days to be able to provide diagnostic services covering all areas. Support medical progress and Thai public health. -Thai news agency
Source: Thai News Agency