Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (KKU), hosted a specialized workshop on 20 July 2026 to advance its Smart Hospital framework. The initiative marks the official rollout of the “Platform Social Telecare (PST)” and “PST AI” innovations within medical social work clinics. The opening ceremony was chaired by Associate Professor Piyatida Kuhirunyaratn, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Human Resource Development at Srinagarind Hospital, who delivered the welcome address and shared the institutional vision. Professor Rapeepan Kumhom, representative of the Social Work Professions Council, presented the project background to an audience of regional healthcare network partners.
Assoc. Prof. Piyatida Kuhirunyaratn, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Human Resource Development at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, highlighted that the drive towards a Smart Hospital under the theme “Connecting Healthcare and Social Services” aims to transform patient care from a reactive, ward-based model into a proactive, data-driven Social Care Plan. This system is designed to seamlessly link government welfare and social benefits to vulnerable populations, bridging the gap between regional tertiary hospitals and households in local communities.
Prof. Rapeepan Kumhom explained that the project prioritises capacity building for medical social work teams alongside the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance care mechanisms while ensuring robust cybersecurity. The workshop catered to 29 participating hospitals across the target operational areas, including six pilot hospitals in Health District 7: Kalasin Hospital, Khon Kaen Hospital, Yang Talat Hospital, Roi Et Hospital, Srinagarind Hospital, and Kuchinarai Crown Prince Hospital.
During the press announcement, a representative from the Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Office delivered a special keynote address on the “MOPH PLUS” policy, which focuses on transforming proactive digital health services. The integration of the PST system to connect health and social data will eliminate operational redundancies, maximise budgetary efficiency, and support long-term behavioral health management for citizens.
The practical workshop was led by a team of expert facilitators, including Ms. Yaowares Khammanad, Social Work Innovation Academic, and Mr. Nattapong Khunfong, Senior Social Worker. Attendees participated in hands-on simulation exercises involving complex patient cases, practicing the deployment of care plans through remote tracking systems with community networks under strict data security protocols, ultimately aiming to sustainably improve public quality of life.
