On 4-5 June 2025, the medical team from Ramathibodi Hospital led by Professor Piyamitr Sritara , President of Mahidol University, Bangkok, collaborated with local medical staff at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital of Samoa to provide a range of specialized services. These included consultations for approximately 70 cardiology cases; surgeries for cleft lips, cholecystectomy, hand procedures, and over 10 eye surgeries; as well as urological treatments such as kidney stones, ureter and bladder conditions, abscess drainage, balloon dilation, and more than 10 TURP cases. The team will continue their work for additional two weeks, with a projected total of more than 30 urology cases and over 200 patients during this mission.
Samoan healthcare professionals expressed a strong interest in upskilling, especially in managing complex surgical cases. In response, Mahidol University and its partners proposed a long-term capacity-building programme including annual site visits focusing on surgery and urology; skill upgrade programmes in general, plastic, and urological surgery; onsite training opportunities in Thailand scheduled from May to October 2025; and a follow-up visit by a Samoan physician in January 2026. Additional support will be offered through online training modules in allied health fields such as physical therapy, nursing, and palliative care, as well as teleconsultations in cardiology, surgery, pathology, and AI-powered radiology.
Furthermore, the Thai medical team discussed the collaborative research opportunities on obesity and diabetes with Samoan Ministry of Health. These are significant health concerns in Samoa due to strong genetic predispositions in the Samoan population.
This partnership underscores Thailand’s ongoing commitment to advancing global health, developing sustainable medical systems, and strengthening international collaboration through education, service, and innovation as Thailand is advancing towards becoming the world's medical and wellness hub.