Published Otorhinolaryngology or ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) diseases is a medical field specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with symptoms, diseases, or injuries in the ears, nose, paranasal sinuses, mouth, pharynx, larynx or neck. The structures of the ear, nose, and throat are complex and interrelated mechanisms; for example, Sinusitis can cause pain or pressure in the ear. When diagnosing ear, nose, and throat diseases, it is crucial to differentiate the symptoms, diseases, or injuries in the ear, nose, and throat precisely. In the big city, most hospitals are well-equipped with the latest technology and seasoned healthcare professionals, so it’s convenient for the patients to receive a diagnosis and treatment. But, if the patients are living in remote, under-served, and unreached areas, traveling to the hospital in the city is a huge burden for them due to the economic and accessibility problem.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, decided to launch the project called “Siriraj ENT Medical Mobility Unit for Underprivileged Patients with Complex Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases” at Srisangwan Hospital in Mae Hong Son Province. The objective is to take ENT healthcare to the doorstep of populations in rural and under-served areas. The patients can receive the diagnosis, treatment, or surgeries with modern medical equipment for proper treatment and safety at Srisangwan Hospital. Throughout the campaign, Siriraj ENT medical Mobility Unit has found a variety of diseases such as Chronic Otitis Media, Thyroid Nodule, Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyp, and Neck Mass.
In addition, aside from helping local patients, the other primary objectives of Siriraj ENT Medical Mobility Unit is to assist local hospital specialists in gaining experience and developing the treatment and surgery skills in complex diseases, the more experienced and higher skills, the greater confidence to treat the patients, which will be a benefit to the local patients in the long term.
