Koh Samui Municipality Initiates Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention Project

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Koh Samui is taking a proactive step for its children’s health! Baan Bophut School launched a new project on August 14, 2025, uniting students, parents, and health officials to combat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease through education and prevention.

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Opening Ceremony and Key Participants

On August 14, 2025, Baan Bophut School in Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province, hosted the launch event for the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Surveillance and Prevention Project. The event was presided over by Mr. Suchart Srisai, a committee member of the Koh Samui Municipality Health Security Fund. Participants included school administrators, teachers, students, parents, health officials, and guests, totaling 270 attendees. The Division of Public Health and Environment and municipal staff also played active roles in the proceedings.

Project Objectives and Target Groups

The project’s main objective is to enhance health promotion, provide disease prevention services, facilitate rehabilitation, and support proactive primary healthcare. The primary target groups are kindergarten and primary school students, along with their parents and caretakers. By focusing on these groups, the project aims to build a strong foundation for effective disease monitoring and prevention within the school community.

Activities and Educational Efforts

A variety of activities were organized as part of the initiative, including:

  • Educational sessions for teachers, parents, and students about HFMD
  • Health promotion workshops emphasizing personal hygiene and preventive measures
  • Demonstrations on proper handwashing techniques
  • Distribution of informational materials on symptoms, transmission, and prevention of HFMD

These activities are designed to empower participants with the knowledge needed to identify symptoms early, understand transmission pathways, and apply effective hygiene practices.

Importance of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common viral infection, particularly affecting young children. It spreads easily in school settings through direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, or feces of infected individuals. Symptoms typically include fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. While usually mild, the disease can lead to complications and outbreaks if not properly managed.

Prevention strategies emphasized by the project include regular hand washing with soap, maintaining clean classroom environments, and educating children not to share personal items such as cups and utensils. Awareness campaigns and routine monitoring play critical roles in reducing the risk of transmission in educational settings.

Role of the Koh Samui Municipality Health Security Fund

The Koh Samui Municipality Health Security Fund provides ongoing support and resources for public health initiatives in the region. By backing the HFMD Surveillance and Prevention Project, the Fund demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding children’s health, promoting disease awareness, and reinforcing primary healthcare systems at the community level.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

The project’s success relies on active collaboration between schools, parents, health officials, and local government entities. Encouraging open communication and shared responsibility helps ensure that preventive measures are consistently implemented and that cases of HFMD are promptly reported and managed. Community involvement is essential for the sustainable reduction of communicable diseases in schools and surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the Koh Samui Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention Project

What is the main goal of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Prevention Project in Koh Samui?

The project’s primary objective is to promote health and prevent the spread of HFMD among kindergarten and primary school students by providing education, prevention services, and fostering proactive healthcare for children and their families.

What activities are included in the project’s prevention and education efforts?

The project includes educational sessions for teachers, parents, and students about HFMD, hands-on health promotion workshops, demonstrations of proper handwashing techniques, and distribution of informational materials to raise awareness about symptoms, transmission, and prevention of the disease.

Who is involved in supporting and implementing this initiative?

The project is a collaborative effort involving Baan Bophut School, Koh Samui Municipality Health Security Fund, school administrators, teachers, students, parents, health officials, and municipal staff. The success depends on active participation from the entire community to ensure effective monitoring and disease prevention.