The campaign aims to enhance the understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, and solutions to help manage the disease among Thais and healthcare providers.
Thammasat Hospital has partnered with Zuellig Pharma, a leading integrated healthcare solutions provider in Asia to raise awareness of the importance of preventive healthcare for obesity as a chronic disease, through the "Reduce Size, Reduce Disease" campaign.
As part of the initiative, Thammasat Hospital and Zuellig Pharma will work together to strengthen the capabilities and capacities of frontline healthcare providers in caring for patients dealing with obesity. The organizations will also collaborate to promote systematic, comprehensive and long-term care for obesity, in order to lower the risk of weight-related chronic diseases.
The campaign is also geared towards shifting Thai society's perception of obesity from a general weight issue to a complex medical condition closely linked to multiple chronic comorbidities, and highlights its significant economic burden on the healthcare system. It also places an emphasis on administering treatments under the supervision of qualified medical professionals, with a focus on long-term safety, side effect management, and efficacy.
The launch of the partnership and campaign in Thailand featured leading specialists, healthcare practitioners and healthcare influencers.
At the launch event for the campaign, Assoc. Prof. Dilok Piyayotai, Director of Thammasat Hospital said, "Thammasat Hospital recognizes that obesity has become one of the major public health challenges in Thai society today. We are therefore proud to support the "Reduce Size, Reduce Disease" initiative to address this issue in a comprehensive way."
Prof. Piyayotai added, "We believe that empowering frontline healthcare personnelwhether doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians or other healthcare providerswith the necessary knowledge and skills is essential for establishing a strong foundation in obesity care. This approach highlights not only diagnosis and effective patient communication, especially through shared decision-making, but also the appropriate and safe use of medications to support sustainable treatment outcomes."
Sunaiyanaa Kidkasetpaisal, Zuellig Pharma's General Manager for Commercialization in Thailand said, "Zuellig Pharma is committed to making healthcare more accessible by raising the levels of education and awareness about obesity as a disease in Thailand; as well as accelerating access to holistic healthcare solutions. Beyond expanding access to innovative treatments to support obesity care, we have initiated the "Reduce Size, Reduce Disease" campaign to promote responsible, evidence-based, and appropriate medication use for better long-term health outcomes in Thailand."
Bebe Thanchanok Ritnaka, a popular health influencer, also shared her personal perspective on holistic self-care at the launch.
"You can't just diet. And you can't just work out. You need both to truly take care of yourself," Bebe shared during her session on 'Dual-Approach to Wellness', where she emphasized the importance of combining consistent exercise with healthy, sustainable eating habits. Her message resonated with both patients and healthcare providers, reinforcing how lifestyle modification plays a central role in real-world obesity management.
The discussion was further enriched by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanit Wichansawakun, a physician nutrition specialist, who provided medical insights into nutritional planning, healthy balance eating, and long-term dietary strategies to support metabolic health based on real-world patient care experience.
The "Reduce Size, Reduce Disease" campaign aims to continuously develop academic and educational contents and forums, alongside interactive programs in response to the evolving landscape of obesity care in Thailand.