KKU Partners with Phon District Networks to Expand Model Subdistricts for Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Eradication

10 June 2026
10:34

On 8 June 2026, the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (CARI) of Khon Kaen University, led by Associate Professor Watcharin Loilome, Ph.D., Acting Director of CARI, alongside a research team comprising Assistant Professor Rittirong Junggoth, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Public Health, Associate Professor Piyawan Srisurak, Ph.D., and Lecturer Saichon Jitphilai from the Faculty of Education, and Professor Paiboon Sithithaworn, Ph.D., Advisor to CARI, convened a meeting to present operational progress and gather feedback from local network partners. The meeting was held at the Sok Nok Ten Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Phon District, Khon Kaen Province, under the flagship research programme of the Science, Research, and Innovation Strategy entitled “Liver Fluke-Free Thailand, Eradicating Cholangiocarcinoma Mortality”, funded by the Health Systems Research Institute (HRI).

The meeting was presided over by Mr Jirasak Silprakob, Phon District Permanent Secretary, and attended by executives from local government organisations, community leaders, public health agencies, and local network partners. The participants gathered to monitor operational outcomes, exchange perspectives, and establish concrete guidelines for translating research into community-level practice.

Associate Professor Watcharin Loilome, Ph.D., Acting Director of CARI, revealed that the operational outcomes of 2025 reflected significant progress within the model areas. The Sok Nok Ten Subdistrict Administrative Organisation successfully established and developed the first fecal sludge treatment plant in Phon District. Concurrently, comprehensive liver fluke screening was conducted in high-risk populations using the OV ATK rapid test kits. The screening results indicated that out of 519 participants tested in Sok Nok Ten Subdistrict, the infection rate was 42 per cent, while in Khoke Sanga Subdistrict, 510 participants were tested, revealing an infection rate of 38.04 per cent. All infected individuals received anthelmintic treatment and entered a continuous post-treatment monitoring process to prevent reinfection and mitigate the future risk of cholangiocarcinoma.

Beyond public health interventions, the project prioritises preventive education within educational institutions. In collaboration with the Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Office, training sessions on implementing the Liver Fluke Prevention and Control Curriculum were conducted for primary, lower-secondary, and upper-secondary school teachers. This initiative aims to transfer knowledge to the youth and build health immunity from the foundational level of society.

Based on past achievements, the meeting resolved to expand the initiative into three pilot subdistricts for 2026, namely Sok Nok Ten, Khoke Sanga, and Na Makhuea. The expansion focuses on four core areas: conducting comprehensive liver fluke screening using OV ATK kits across all age groups; providing continuous treatment and follow-up care for infected individuals; developing sanitation systems and treatment plants into community learning centres; and promoting the liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma prevention curriculum in local schools.

Another critical topic of interest at the meeting was the study of liver fluke contamination in fish and food products from various local sources. This study aims to assess environmental risks and utilise the gathered data to plan effective risk-factor management, thereby reducing disease transmission and ensuring long-term health safety for the public.

This collaboration among Khon Kaen University (KKU), government agencies, local administrative organisations, educational institutions, and civil society represents a crucial step in systematically applying research and innovation to resolve community health issues. The partnership aims to reduce liver fluke infection rates, lower the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma, and sustainably enhance the quality of life and well-being of the population in Northeast Thailand.

The operations under the “Liver Fluke-Free Thailand, Eradicating Cholangiocarcinoma Mortality” research programme align closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, it supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the prevention, screening, treatment, and reduction of losses from liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma, which remain major public health challenges in the country. It also advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by developing school curricula and building preventive knowledge, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by establishing standardised fecal sludge management systems. Furthermore, this initiative reflects the integration of multi-sectoral collaboration in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), driving research toward concrete community problem-solving to foster a disease-safe society, reduce health inequalities, and elevate the quality of life for Thai citizens sustainably in the future.