Company News

Supporting MOPH's national agenda to address the NCDs crisis; new data shows 1 in 10 Thais – over 6.5 million people - now live with diabetes, with working population at highest risk.

Bangkok, 19 February 2025 — ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital, an internationally recognized private hospital renowned for its excellence in diabetes care, marks its 40th anniversary with the launch of "The Heart of Giving, The Gift of Caring" campaign. The hospital is intensifying its efforts to raise awareness about prevention of diabetes and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which have emerged as a critical challenge for Thailand's public health sector. With NCDs among the leading causes of death in Thailand, ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital's strategic initiatives align with the Ministry of Public Health's national agenda to reduce NCDs rates among the Thai population. The hospital is accelerating its development of international-standard healthcare services that encompass all aspects of care, from prevention to rehabilitation, aiming to enhance quality of life across all age groups while building a sustainable healthy society through education about NCDs risks and lifestyle modification.

Prof. Emeritus Dr.Thep Himathongkam, Founder of Theptarin Hospital, explains, "ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital is dedicated to fostering sustainable health for people of all ages. This vision stems from my extensive research into healthcare systems worldwide, which revealed that managing NCDs, particularly diabetes, requires a comprehensive approach combining prevention and education with treatment. We've observed that patients who rely solely on treatment often experience recurring health issues. This understanding led me to recognize that while education is fundamental, it requires both a strong multidisciplinary team and an efficiently managed system. These insights drove the establishment of Theptarin Hospital as a model healthcare institution that integrates treatment, education, and prevention, especially for chronic non-communicable diseases that can be prevented through proper awareness and intervention."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs claimed at least 43 million lives globally in 2021, with 18 million deaths occurring before age 70, establishing these diseases as a silent threat to the working population. In Thailand, joint research by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and WHO indicates that NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung diseases, claim over 400,000 Thai lives annually. The economic impact is equally severe: the Department of Disease Control reports that these diseases cost Thailand approximately 1.6 trillion baht annually, equivalent to 9.7% of GDP. In response, the MOPH has elevated the fight against NCDs to national priority status, calling for cross-sector collaboration to prevent disease onset, enhance health literacy, and address underlying causes.

Dr. Somkiat Lalitwongsa, Director of ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital, states, "ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital is advancing healthcare with a vision for sustainable health across all age groups. This mission is particularly crucial as Thailand transitions into an aging society, with the population aged over 65 projected to reach 20% within the next decade. Our 40th anniversary celebration theme, 'The Heart of Giving, The Gift of Caring,' reflects our commitment to elevating holistic healthcare that integrates treatment, prevention, and health education for Thai society, with special emphasis on preventable conditions like NCDs."

Speaking about the concerning NCD situation, Dr. Somkiat adds, "Thailand is facing a chronic disease crisis, particularly in cases of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Patient numbers continue to rise due to social changes, urbanization, and lifestyle shifts. The decision to make NCDs reduction a national priority marks a crucial step in addressing these health challenges."

The urban working population faces particularly severe health risks due to lifestyle factors that significantly contribute to NCDs. These include preference for high-fat and sugary buffet meals, reliance on coffee and energy drinks to combat fatigue, dependence on fast food and ready-made meals for convenience, and regular alcohol consumption and social drinking. When combined with work-related stress, prolonged sitting, and insufficient exercise, these factors create a perfect storm of health risks for working-age individuals. As a result, conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease are increasingly being diagnosed in younger age groups. In response to these complex health challenges, ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital continues to implement its pioneering multidisciplinary team care approach, which has served as Thailand's healthcare model for four decades. This comprehensive system goes beyond treating symptoms to emphasize patient education for effective self-care, while extending healthcare knowledge to family members and the broader community, creating a sustainable healthcare ecosystem for all ages.

Dr. Ekgaluck Wanothayaroj, Director of Theptarin Diabetes, Thyroid and Endocrine Center, explains Thailand's diabetes situation: "National health statistics reveal 300,000 new diabetes cases annually, with one in ten Thais—approximately 6.5 million people—now living with diabetes. Of particular concern is the decreasing age of diagnosis among working professionals, especially those managing heavy workloads and high stress levels who often turn to sweet, fatty, and fried foods for comfort. While sugar consumption may temporarily lower stress hormone levels, this coping mechanism leads to significant long-term health damage.

Furthermore, diabetes often triggers a cascade of serious NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases caused by blood vessel damage from elevated blood sugar, chronic kidney disease resulting from overworked filtration systems, diabetic retinopathy that can lead to vision loss, and peripheral neuropathy causing slow-healing foot wounds that may necessitate amputation. Prevention is therefore critical, particularly for high-risk groups. Key preventive measures include choosing low-sugar fruits and whole grains, maintaining a weekly exercise regimen of at least 150 minutes, keeping a healthy weight, scheduling regular health screenings for early detection, and minimizing risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption—all of which can be implemented immediately."

Throughout its 40-year history, ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital has dedicated itself to enhancing Thai public health through three key initiatives: First, the hospital pioneered the Multidisciplinary Diabetes Team Care Model by establishing Thailand's first diabetes and thyroid center. This innovative care model emphasizes collaborative team efforts to educate both patients and their families about effective self-care practices. This achievement earned the hospital Thailand's first disease-specific certification (for diabetes and thyroid) from the Healthcare Accreditation Institute (HAI). Second, the hospital introduced specialized diabetes care professionals, including diabetes educators, dietitians, and foot care specialists. These roles, first developed at ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital, were subsequently expanded through training programs in partnership with universities, professional associations, and healthcare facilities nationwide. Third, the hospital transformed its approach from purely treatment-focused to prevention-oriented care, establishing the Fight Diabetes Foundation to extend preventive healthcare initiatives beyond hospital boundaries.

Celebrity couple Kawee 'Beam' Tanjararak and Atiporn 'Oil' Chitthummawong, who attended ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital's 40th anniversary celebration, shared their perspective on healthcare: "As parents in a multi-generational family with both elderly members and young children, we prioritize comprehensive health care. This begins with developing proper health literacy, understanding various health challenges, and recognizing how different lifestyle needs affect health outcomes. We consider annual health screenings essential, believing firmly in prevention over treatment, particularly for our elderly family members. For our children, we emphasize health awareness from an early age to establish strong foundations for lifelong wellness. As parents, we view health screenings as a vital investment, and receiving evidence-based guidance from specialist medical teams provides invaluable peace of mind."

The hospital demonstrated strong financial performance in 2024, with revenue reaching 988.3 million baht, representing a 9.83% increase from 2023. This growth reflects successful expansion across multiple service areas, including general patient care, insurance partnerships, and emergency services, complemented by the development of vaccination packages and comprehensive healthcare solutions tailored to patient needs.

ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital 40th Anniversary Special: "40 Years to Better Health"

To mark its 40th anniversary, ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital is offering special health screening packages during a 40-day celebration period. Patients can access a comprehensive 14-item health screening package for 1,440 baht, while specialized diabetes screening programs start at 3,940 baht. Additionally, the hospital is offering two exclusive benefits: patients can select from over 40 specialized examination options starting at 440 baht, and receive a 400-baht Cash Voucher redeemable on their next outpatient or inpatient visit. These promotional offers are available from February 19 to March 31, 2025. For detailed information and appointments, please visit www.theptarin.com.

For health consultations and appointments at ViMUT-Theptarin Hospital, please contact 02-348-7000 or visit www.theptarin.com.