“We have to make good preparations, as Thailand will be an aged society in the next few years. 

“Simply put, more than 20 per cent of Thais will be more than 60 years old by then,” Professor Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, said at a press conference yesterday. 

“We should strive to ensure healthy ageing,” he said.

The press conference was called to inform people about upcoming |events. 

The “Siriraj International Conference and Public Health 2018 (SICMPH 2018) will run from August 1 to August 3 in the Siriraj Hospital compound. 

This is part of an academic seminar that aims to boost the quality of life of elderly Thais. 

“We expect more than 2,500 participants,” Prasit said. 

Distinguished foreigners and prominent Thai academics such as Professor Dr Pramote Prasartkul of the Institute for Population and Social Research, and Dr Banlu Siriphanit, the first to have attended the World Assembly of Ageing, will be among the speakers.

“The conference will present more than 100 speakers and cover more than 70 interesting topics on the elderly,” Professor Prasert Assantachai, the deputy dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, said yesterday in his capacity as the academic head of the organising committee.

At the conference that takes up the theme of “Moving forward through an Aged Society”, experts from various fields will be able to share their knowledge to support better care for the elderly. 

Research presented at the event may also inspire future research for the development of elderly-themed innovations. 

Medical staff aged over 60 can attend this international academic conference free of charge.

Another event, which will run from July 31 to August 5 at Siriraj Hospital targets members of the public.

During the event, elderly people can receive basic health check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol level, stress and the strength of their blood vessels. 

Clinics about nutrition and medical knowledge will also be held, and one booth will educate smokers on how to give up smoking.

Several organisations will join this event so as to offer holistic healthcare to the elderly.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30347313

 

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