• 
• 

Published on September 12, 2007

"I have visited several medical schools worldwide - East and West - but it is with regret that I report to Your Majesty that Siam's medical school at Siriraj Hospital is the poorest I have ever seen."

 These were the words of Dr Victor Heiser, an inspector from the Rockefeller Foundation of the United States, to King Vajiravudh 87 years ago when Siriraj was under the administration of Chulalongkorn University.

 In those days, medical schools in this region, which took in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, were developed on Western models, and the British unit system was beginning to influence their development. 

 The criticism above prompted Siamese officials to improve the quality of medical education. Prince Rangsit of Chai Nat, the director of the Royal Medical School and the first director-general of the University Affairs Department, went to Manila to study medical-education administration.

 At the invitation of Prince Rangsit, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla began to gather information on the difficult task of reforming Siriraj into a first-grade school. Taking the attitude that "a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step", he dedicated himself to studying public health and medicine at Harvard in the United States.

 Prince Mahidol sought the Rockefeller Foundation's help to improve Siamese medical education in 1922, and contributed money to buy land and buildings and establish an administration to modernise Siriraj.

 Raymond Blaine Fosdick recalls this ambitious undertaking in "The Story of the Rockefeller Foundation":

 "The project was a demonstration in this part of the world of what a modern medical school means, and what it involves in preliminary education, buildings, equipment, personnel, hospital facilities, nursing and complete reorganisation. It was nothing less than the establishment of a first-grade medical school  in Bangkok with American professors sent as directors of departments for an interim period while Siamese were being trained for these positions through fellowships."

 This book adds that when the foundation wound up in 1934, substantial progress had been made, but such an extensive series of developments should have been allowed more time to mature.

 With the death of Prince Mahidol, it continues, the Siamese lost their wisest patron and leader of modern medical education, and the foundation lost an extraordinarily capable collaborator.

 After more than 80 years, his legacy still lives on.

 Students sent abroad under the prince's scholarships have become key players in modern medicine in Thailand - many are great teachers; some have helped establish new medical schools and universities.

 Things have moved on since Siriraj was the Kingdom's single royal medical school. Now more than 15 produce in excess of 1,400 doctors each year. More than 35,000 doctors in all have graduated, and these days the Thailand aspires to be a regional centre for medical excellence.

 To recognise Prince Mahidol as the father of modern medicine in this country, a statue was erected at Siriraj Hospital in 1950. September 24 has become Mahidol Day to commemorate his death.

 Charity events on Mahidol Day organised by students at Siriraj campus started in 1960. Each September, students produce thousands of Mahidol Day flags that are exchanged for donations. The money goes to buy medical equipment and fund the treatment of the poor at Siriraj Hospital.

 Celebrities are helping out, too. This year Channel 5 will air a special programme this Saturday (September 15) from 10pm until midnight. Donations can be made and health questions asked by calling (02) 270 2233.

 In the North, the medical school at Chiang Mai University will hold a charity run on Thursday morning, September 23. Everyone running makes a donation. The money goes to the Ratchasamadhorn Foundation to fund care for the underprivileged.

 Songkhla Hospital at Prince of Songkhla University will be joining in, too.

 The aim of all these activities is to promote a closer relationship between care providers and the public.

supakorn rojanin, md

Deputy dean of public relations and special affairs, Siriraj Hospital's Faculty of Medicine