On 14 January 2022, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over an opening of Princess Sirindhorn IT Foundation Craniofacial Center, Chiang Mai University. The center was founded in 2019 under the collaboration between Chiang Mai University, the Information Technology Foundation under the Initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and NSTDA to provide treatment for impoverished patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial anomalies. Representing NSTDA at the ceremony were NSTDA President Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul and Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Advisor to NSTDA President and Board Member of the Information Technology Foundation.
Since its inception, Princess Sirindhorn IT Foundation Craniofacial Center, Chiang Mai University has employed multiple homegrown technologies and innovations in its treatment processes. Examples include:
- MobiiScan is a portable craniofacial cone-beam computerized tomography scanner developed by NSTDA in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University; King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital; and the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, Chiang Mai University. MobiiScan provides 3D internal anatomy images of craniofacial structures to support diagnosis and surgical planning. The device passed the radiation safety test performed by the Department of Medical Sciences and the electrical safety test by the Electrical and Electronic Products Testing Center (PTEC) and received an ISO 13485 certification. The machine was designed to be easily moved to different operating theaters and used with a patient in a supine position.
- 3D Printer. The 3D printer is used to create patient’s craniofacial model to enable more accurate planning of surgical procedures and treatment, resulting in patient’s faster recovery after surgery.
- ThaiCleftLink is an online platform for medical professionals to securely storing, searching and transferring medical history of craniofacial patients. The platform facilitates the treatment of craniofacial deformities which often requires the cooperation of multidisciplinary team with many specialized medical fields. Another benefit of this platform is the patient making fewer visits to various medical teams and departments as patient’s medical record and data can be retrieved online.
Princess Sirindhorn IT Foundation Craniofacial Center, Chiang Mai University currently serves 8 upper Northern provinces - Chiang Mai, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Lamphun and Phayao – as well as areas along the Thailand-Myanmar border.
