IEAT Partners with AstraZeneca, DLPW, and SSO to Launch a Social Initiative "Lung Screening with AI Innovation"

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), under the Ministry of Industry, has partnered with AstraZeneca (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare (DLPW), and the Social Security Office (SSO) under the Ministry of Labor, to launch the "Health and Well-being Enhancement Program for Workers in Industrial Estates", featuring the flagship activity, the "Lung Screening with AI Innovation." The program leverages AI technology to provide free lung health screening for personnel in industrial estates, aiming to detect abnormalities at an early stage, reduce disease severity, and improve the long-term quality of life of industrial estate workers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores lung health as a key determinant of a country's quality of life and competitiveness. In Thailand, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are among the most common chronic non-communicable diseases and leading causes of premature death. Both conditions are largely preventable and can be treated more effectively when detected early and managed promptly with appropriate care. Air and environmental pollution, such as dust, smoke, and workplace chemical exposure, are major risk factors that contribute directly to lung disease. Current data also shows a concerning trend: more than 70% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage, making curative treatment difficult and often requiring complex care.

While "labor" is a key driver of the national economy, "good worker health" is the foundation of sustainable development. Proactive lung screening for workers in industrial estates, under the "Health and Well-being Enhancement Program for Workers in Industrial Estates," plays a crucial role in workers' lives and the wider economy by improving quality of life through screening, reducing risk factors for COPD and lung cancer, and providing lung health education. This initiative is an important step toward building a sustainable health model for Thai workers.

Pol Lt Gen Ittiporn Pho Thong, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister Suchart Chomklin, revealed after presiding over the opening ceremony of a social project to promote the health and well-being of industrial estate personnel at the Amata City Industrial Estate, Chonburi: "Current national development requires a balanced integration of industry, health, and the environment. The health of workers in industrial estates, particularly respiratory conditions linked to environmental factors, is a key driver of the Thailand's economy. Collaboration between the public and private sectors to implement AI-assisted chest X-ray technology for proactive screening is an important step toward effectively linking environmental management with worker health protection."

Mr. Sumet Tangprasert, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said, "The IEAT is committed to developing Thailand's industrial estates into leading economic zones while safeguarding the environment and quality of life, in line with the Eco-Industrial Town development approach. Data generated from this AI-based screening will underpin a 'systemic collaboration,' providing the IEAT and its partners with an empirical workforce health database to inform policies and healthcare guidelines tailored to local needs. The IEAT plans to scale this initiative across industrial estates nationwide to strengthen and sustain Thailand's workforce health system, ultimately enhancing long-term investor confidence in Thai industrial estates."

Ms. Somrasa Pongpermpruek, Corporate Affairs Director of AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd., stated, "AstraZeneca is committed to demonstrating what science can do to improve people's health and strengthen Thailand's healthcare system sustainably. The implementation of the 'Health and Well-being Enhancement Program for Workers in Industrial Estates' highlights the power of collaboration among the public and private sectors and health technology partners who share a common goal. Through proactive prevention, timely screening, and streamlined referral pathways, we can reduce premature mortality and improve health outcomes for workers and communities across Thailand. AstraZeneca remains dedicated to a long-term, cross-sector partnerships to transform care and drive a stage shift—detecting abnormalities earlier, when intervention is most effective. This initiative is part of AstraZeneca's global health innovation collaboration network the 'A.Catalyst Network,' which aims to enhance quality of life through scientific advancement."

For the "Health and Well-being Enhancement Program for Workers in Industrial Estates," the initiative comprises two key activities: a mobile chest X-ray service - "Lung Screening with AI Innovation" and lung health talks by experts - "Healthy Lungs: Early Detection, Timely Treatment." These pilot activities are carried out in collaboration with three agencies under the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Labor, across industrial estates in four provinces: Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao. The program aims to provide screening services to a total of 5,000 workers within a two-month period (December 2025 - January 2026).

The screening combines a COPD risk assessment questionnaire with AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis using Inspectra CXR technology from Perceptra, a Thai health-tech startup certified by international agencies. This technology has been deployed in more than 470 hospitals nationwide and supports physicians by flagging abnormalities associated with eight lung conditions, with reported overall accuracy of 98.9%. It can also reduce the time required to interpret preliminary results by up to 70%, helping enable earlier diagnosis.

The event also featured lung health talks "Healthy Lungs: Early Detection, Timely Treatment." with expert speakers, including Dr. Worachai Saengthongpinij, Pulmonologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonburi Hospital; Dr. Prakaitip Susilparat, Family Medicine at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital and Vice President of the Thai Cancer Society; and Ms. Supitchaya Phupisut, Co-Founder and CEO of Perceptra. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Atirut Kittipattana, and aimed to equip industrial estate personnel with practical knowledge on lung health and disease prevention.

• ข่าวMinistry of Industry
• ข่าวAstraZeneca
• ข่าวLung Cancer
• ข่าวo:member
• ข่าวo:heal