3.3.2 Health outreach programmes
Metric: Collaborations and health services
Deliver outreach programmes and projects in the local community (which can include student volunteering programmes) to improve or promote health and well-being including hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports, exercise, aging well, and other health and well-being related topics.
Prince of Songkla University continuously delivers health outreach programmes and community-based projects to improve health and well-being among local populations in Southern Thailand. These activities are implemented by health-science faculties and include disease screening, health counselling, oral health and nutrition promotion, care for older persons, specialist referral, health education, and student volunteering.
Community Health Screening and Access to Specialist Care
Date: August 2025
The Faculty of Medicine implements the Neuro PSU for the Community project to support people with complex neurological conditions who face barriers to accessing specialist care. Participants receive screening, symptom assessment, and referral for appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
A total of 20 people were screened, and four suspected cases were identified and linked to further diagnostic assessment. This initiative helps reduce barriers to specialist healthcare and improves access to appropriate services for community members.
Oral Health and Nutrition Promotion
Date: June-November 2025
The Faculty of Dentistry conducts oral-health promotion programmes for children aged 2–5 years in Health Region 12. Services include oral examinations, fluoride application, silver diamine fluoride treatment, and health education for teachers, parents, and public-health personnel. More than 15,000 children have benefited from the programme.
The Faculty also supports the Southern Children Reduce Sugar network, which promotes healthier dietary behaviours and reduces sugar consumption among children and young people. The network has expanded to 33 sites across seven provinces.
Community Disease Screening and Health Counselling
Date: June 2025 - June 2026
The Faculty of Medical Technology implements the Medical Technology for Community Project in Songkhla Province. A total of 750 community members received screening for noncommunicable-disease risks together with individual health counselling and education on diet and lifestyle.
The Faculty also conducted a pinworm-surveillance project involving 120 young children in Rattaphum District, contributing to disease prevention and early identification of community health risks.
Student Volunteer Programmes
Date: 31 August 2025
The Faculty of Nursing, Hat Yai Campus, regularly organises nursing volunteer camps and community-service activities in schools and local communities.
These activities provide first aid, health promotion, older-person care, community-based learning, and other health services while allowing students to apply their professional knowledge in real community settings.
One nursing volunteer camp involved 231 participants and achieved an average satisfaction score of 4.91 out of 5.
Contribution to Community Health and Well-being
Through these outreach programmes, Prince of Songkla University contributes to:
disease prevention and early detection;
improved access to specialist healthcare;
oral-health promotion;
healthier nutrition and reduced sugar consumption;
noncommunicable-disease prevention;
child and older-person health;
health education and counselling; and
student engagement in community health service.
These initiatives demonstrate the University’s sustained commitment to improving health and well-being in surrounding communities through direct service delivery, health education, and student volunteering.