On February 8, 2021, Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, hosted the ceremony to mark the start of the construction of the Medical Hub project. Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean, the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Songsak Kiatchoosakun, Director of Srinagarind Hospital, as well as former deans of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Pisake Lumbiganon, Professor Polasak Jeeravipoolvarn, Associate Professor Suchat Areemit, Associate Professor Sompron Pothinam and other staff from the Faculty of Medicine and Srinagarind Hospital, also participated.

The Medical Hub construction budget is over 4,000 Million Baht. When completed the Medical Hub will increase Srinagarind Hospital’s service area by 120,000 square meters. There will be 600 more beds, 25 more operation rooms, 117 ICU rooms as well as 400 units for patients’ relatives housing and parking capacity for 1,000 cars. The construction of the Medical Hub will not only expand Srinagarind Hospital’s clinical services, but also increase MDKKU’s training capacity for an extra 150 doctors each year. It will also expand research and innovation opportunities. The  Medical Hub will not only benefit northeastern Thailand, but surrounding regions as well.

The Medical Hub formal construction start date was   September 15, 2020, when the construction contract was signed   between Khon Kaen University and Christiani & Nielsen (Thai) Public Company Limited.   Representatives from each side were Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University and Mr. Khushroo Kali Wadia, Managing Director and Executive Director of Christiani & Nielsen Thailand Public Co. Ltd.  A contract was also signed with Arun Chaiseri Consulting Engineers Company Limited to supervise the construction with Dr Piyawat Chaisayree as their representative.   Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dr Narongchai Akrasanee, President of the Khon Kaen University Council were also present as witnesses.

Following  the construction plan signing ceremony, on December 25, 2020, a meeting was held to discuss  construction progress on  the phase 1 construction plan, involving a right for construction area, the deconstruction of public road, and landscape transformation.   In attendance were Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University,  Associate Professor Arwut Yimtae, Vice President for Infrastructure and Environment, Khon Kaen University,  Associate Professor Piyawat Foytong, Assistant to the President for Infrastructure and Environment, Khon Kaen University, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, as well as the board committee in charge of the construction of the medical hub, and representatives from architect firm Nungroisip Ltd. and ATT Consultant Ltd.

Much preparatory planning had led to this day, the formal construction starts for Khon Kaen University’s Medical Hub.   The Medical hub construction has now begun and is estimated to finish and be ready for use in 2024. It will significantly enhance  the Faculty of Medicine’s mission to pursue excellence in academic education,  research, and clinical services  for people in Greater Mekong subregion as well as nearby regions.

Written by: Natakon Naowarojna

International Relations Office, Research and International Relations Affairs

Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University