Siriraj Hospital is calling on the Thai government to invest in advanced interventional radiology technology, highlighting its potential to save lives and improve patient outcomes across the country. The hospital stressed that wider access to this minimally invasive medical procedure could greatly benefit Thailand’s ageing population.
Dr Yongyut Sirivatanauksorn, director of Siriraj Hospital, pointed to the success of the Siriraj Centre of Interventional Radiology (SiCIR), which was established in 2017 and is now one of 19 Siriraj Medical Centres of Excellence. According to Dr Yongyut, the centre currently handles over 5,000 cases each year using image-guided technology and specially designed tools that allow doctors to perform precise treatments with minimal incisions. These procedures are used in treating conditions such as stroke, cancer, and uterine artery embolisation.
“Siriraj provides this technology for all patients, regardless of their medical insurance status. Some patients unable to afford care receive treatment at no cost,” Dr Yongyut said. “Unfortunately, access to this technology is still limited to a few hospitals. As a training centre, we want to see this expand so that more people can benefit from effective and less invasive treatment.”
While SiCIR serves as a leading model, Dr Yongyut acknowledged that many hospitals across the country are not equipped with the necessary tools or personnel. He cited a shortage of interventional radiologists as a critical issue, particularly as the demand for these treatments grows.
Dr Somrach Thamtorawut, vice chairperson of SiCIR, said there are only 140 interventional radiologists working in Thailand, spread across just seven centres. The country trains about 15 new specialists each year, a number that falls short of meeting national needs.
“Many hospitals do not have access to this expensive equipment due to limited government funding,” Dr Somrach said. “At the very least, we aim to have an interventional radiology team at each hospital centre so that patients can access timely and effective care.”
Siriraj Hospital hopes that increased awareness and government support will lead to broader access to interventional radiology, making advanced medical care available to more patients across Thailand.