Promoting Sustainable Health and Well-Being in the Community: The Role of Walailak University in Caring for the General Public, Persons with Disabilities, and Migrant Workers
Walailak University plays a significant role in promoting sustainable health and quality of life for the surrounding community. This commitment extends not only to students and staff but also to a diverse population, including the general public in local communities, disadvantaged people, and immigrant communities. Consequently, the university delivers outreach programs and projects in local community to improve or promote health and well-being aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare and continuously improving the quality of life for these target groups. Each program also involves student volunteering, providing them with practical experience in the local community and real-life situations. Also, this health outreach program has several project, targeting to three groups: general public in local community, disadvantaged people, and immigrant community.
General Public in the Local Community
The 4th year of The Pre-elderly and Elderly Strengthen and Rehabilitation Project at Satit Walailak Pattana Community
Figures : The outreach project for general public in local community through stationary marching exercises.
The Thai Traditional Medicine Product Development Project to Promote Community Health
Figures : The outreach project for general public in local community for delivering herbal knowledge and herbal tea processing.
The Process of Collaboration with Two Outreach Project for the Better Health and Well-being Outcomes
Figures : Distribute herbal tea for drinking before exercising with stationary marching exercises.
Figures : The Stationary Marching Exercises.
Figures : Take home the herbal tea along with instructions on how to brew it and incorporate it with marching exercises at home.
Disadvantaged People
Figures : Training activities to enhance the skills of subdistrict health promotion hospital staff and VHVs in caring for and rehabilitating bedridden patients.
Figures : Home visits were conducted to assess the skills learned and to provide additional guidance to the disadvantaged people’ relatives on proper care.
Additionally, during these home visits, herbal massage oil was applied to the bedridden patients. This massage oil is part of The Herbal Massage Oil Product Development Project in collaboration with the Ban Thung Chon Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital. The project aims to develop an appropriate herbal massage oil, specifically for elderly and bedridden patients. The herbal massage oil developed through the project was found to be highly satisfactory, with a satisfaction rate of 96% among the community users.
Figures : Home visit with herbal massage oil using for disadvantaged people.
Immigrant Communities
Figures : The health outreach project for immigrant community by offering physical therapy services and basic health screening services.
Walailak University’s role in community healthcare is vital. Its various projects not only promote short-term health improvements but also lay the foundation for the community’s long-term sustainability through knowledge sharing and the integration of education, research, and academic services. The success of these initiatives is evident in the improved quality of life for the general public in local community, disadvantaged people, and immigrant communities.
Every year, Walailak University, through its faculty members, works with local communities, disadvantaged people, and the immigrant community to diagnose health-related issues. This collaboration involves the participation of these groups in jointly addressing the issues through development initiatives. The approach integrates teamwork and stakeholder engagement across all sectors.
At the end of each year, the outcomes of these initiatives are assessed, the project’s success is measured, and plans are developed for continued efforts in the following year. This demonstrates the university’s consistent efforts in improving health and well-being for all groups annually. The initiatives have received high levels of acceptance and satisfaction from the community and beneficiaries.
