University Advances Efforts to Achieve Sustainable Elimination of Liver Fluke Disease and Cholangiocarcinoma Fatalities in Thailand
Khon Kaen University (KKU) organised a large-scale screening event for liver fluke infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in observance of “World Cholangiocarcinoma Day 2026” on Friday, 13 February 2026. The event was held at the activity area and surgical examination rooms on the first floor of the HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Memorial Building at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. The initiative aimed to raise public awareness, expand access to screening services, and advance Thailand’s sustainable efforts to reduce the burden of liver fluke disease and CCA.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Thidarut Boonmars, D.V.M., Ph.D., Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, acting on behalf of the President of Khon Kaen University. She delivered the opening address, followed by Dr. Rueangsilp Thuannadee, President of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of Thailand (C-CAF), who spoke on the background and significance of the activity. Professor Somsak Tiamkao, M.D., Director of Srinagarind Hospital, subsequently provided a report detailing the event’s objectives.
The screening activity forms part of an operational research project addressing liver fluke infection and cholangiocarcinoma across Regional Health Areas 7, 8, 9, and 10. The project represents a robust collaboration involving the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (C-CRI) at Khon Kaen University, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of Thailand (C-CAF), and the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center of Excellence at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. These organisations, along with extensive national and international networks, operate under the wider “Thailand is free from liver fluke and death from cholangiocarcinoma” (Fluke Free Thailand Initiative).
Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability
Professor Thidarut noted that Thailand has implemented a decade-long national strategy for eliminating liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma from 2016 to 2025 under Cabinet resolution, with continued efforts into 2026 to ensure sustainable outcomes. She emphasised that the mass screening campaign not only raises awareness but also translates research and innovation into tangible public health action. Early detection through advanced tools is expected to reduce long-term economic and social losses associated with these diseases.
Professor Somsak Tiamkao, M.D., Director of Srinagarind Hospital
Professor Somsak Tiamkao, M.D., Director of Srinagarind Hospital, stated that the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, as a leading academic institution, places high importance on continuous research and innovation development concerning the prevention, screening, and treatment of liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma. This includes the use of the OV ATK urine-based liver fluke test kits and ultrasound imaging for CCA screening. These efforts are vital for identifying infected individuals and patients at the initial stages, thereby increasing treatment opportunities and improving the quality of life for the public, alongside building robust treatment networks with domestic and international partners.
The event offered screening services, including the use of the OV ATK kit and ultrasound examination, to high-risk residents, university staff, and external network members. Over 250 individuals registered to participate, demonstrating the collaborative strength across all sectors in driving a systematic solution to this public health challenge.
According to data from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of Thailand, approximately 40 million people across the Mekong sub-region are currently infected with the liver fluke parasite. In Thailand, around 10 million people are infected, and there are approximately 20,000 new CCA cases reported annually. Critically, over 55 per cent of these new cases affect working-age individuals between 40 and 60 years old, resulting in profound impacts on families, the economic system, and the overall quality of life.
The successful organisation of “World CCA’s Day 2026” reflects Khon Kaen University’s essential role as a university for society, integrating knowledge, research, and cross-sectoral collaboration to address major public health crises sustainably. This effort strongly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, which seeks to reduce mortality rates from non-communicable diseases and ensure equitable access to health services. Furthermore, the extensive cooperation among governmental, academic, civil society, and international networks illustrates a commitment to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting the power of collective action in achieving shared sustainable development objectives.
Khon Kaen University remains committed to serving as a vital mechanism in fostering a secure, robust, and sustainable well-being society, ensuring a better quality of life for the people of Thailand and the global community.
