Songkhla Nakarin news

Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Heart Center, PSU Faculty of Medicine, and the Dept. of Medical Services develop potential heart valve replacement




    On 5 April 2023, Assoc. Prof. Ruangsak Leethanaporn, MD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, welcomed executives and nearly 100 cardiologists from various institutions around the world at the event PSU CSHD: One World One Heart: Unite for Mankind, an academic conference for the 20th anniversary of the Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Heart Center (NRHC). At the event, a signing ceremony on catheter pulmonary valve replacement was held, signifying a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine, PSU, the Department of Medical Services, and leading hospitals under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Public Health to develop potential academic skills and procedures in catheterized pulmonary valve replacement for personnel both in the country and abroad. The collaboration also serves as the means to jointly push for the establishment of a training hub/learning center, and to develop knowledge and skills in treating heart disease patients with heart valve replacement using a comprehensive catheter.



The number of heart disease patients, children and adults alike, is steadily increasing year by year in Thailand. Some patients face a long waiting time for treatment, and some of those could unfortunately not wait. Therefore, NRHC consulted with the Department of Medicine and hospitals in the group of the Medical Department to solve problems in form of a network. Among the many aims of the network, it is focusing on how to develop and promote academic knowledge and skills in treating catheterized pulmonary valve replacement in heart disease patients through academic exchange activities, teaching, training, research, and procedures in learning therapeutic techniques. These are expected to lead to the elevation of the potential in treatment to be on par with international standards, including improving the quality of life of heart disease patients.



In addition, the network has taken steps in jointly developing the knowledge and potential of medical personnel in pulmonary heart valve replacement via catheterization with the Institute of Chest Diseases Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Suratthani Hospital and Hatyai Hospital in screening patients who are suitable for catheterized heart valve replacement, in order to join the treatment with a group of trainers at the network hospitals. The network also focuses on cooperation in developing potential, academic skills, and procedures, as well as supporting lecturers, training sources, and resources used in production both theoretical and practical. An operational plan has also been set in place for a jointly established training hub to promote and develop knowledge and skills in treating heart disease.



NRHC and Songkhlanagarind Hospital, PSU Faculty of Medicine, serve as a center in the southern region for the treatment of complex heart disease, making it one of the centers of excellence in service of the Faculty of Medicine, featuring specialists recognized both domestically and internationally. In addition, it also serves as a learning center for academic skills and technical skills for treating catheterized pulmonary valve replacement in heart disease patients. Throughout the years, several forms of activities have been taking place, including academic exchange, teaching, training, research and procedures in learning therapeutic techniques, leading to the elevation of the potential for treatment to be on par with international standards, including improving the quality of life of heart patients.