Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat Saengsanon, a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science at the Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, has been awarded the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) 2024 in the field of innovation in Public Administration for his project titled Innovation?Applying academic knowledge to respond to the outbreak of epidemic? (Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response) presented at the recent United Nations Public Service Forum and Awards Ceremony in South Korea.
An epidemic is a contagious disease that spreads quickly over a large area, leading to a significant increase in the number of patients in a short period. This represents a critical public health issue that requires urgent intervention and control to prevent widespread outbreaks. One recent epidemic is COVID-19, which has had a global impact, including in Thailand. This situation inspired Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat Saengsanon to develop an innovation utilizing academic knowledge to respond more swiftly and effectively to similar outbreaks in the future, by employing wastewater analysis as a data source for early warning and decision-making before actual cases emerge.
The significance of wastewater epidemiology processes
Wastewater epidemiology is a crucial method for tracking disease outbreaks, enhancing our capability to prevent them. This approach can facilitate early warnings prior to an outbreak and lower the expenses related to disease surveillance. Additionally, it can be utilized to identify drug presence in wastewater, reducing the spread of drug use.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat Saengsanon stated that analyzing wastewater provides a precise reflection of the number of patients within a community, enabling faster and more effective prevention of epidemic outbreaks. This application of academic knowledge serves the public interest. Winning the UNPSA Award in the innovation category for 2024 not only validates this research’s success but also highlights its importance in the realm of public health in Thailand. Furthermore, this innovation addresses Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which pertains to good health and well-being for individuals of all ages, and SDG 6, which focuses on improving water and sanitation.
Innovation through collaboration to combat epidemics
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat elaborated that traditionally, investigations into disease outbreaks require waiting for patients to seek hospital treatment before collecting data on patient numbers and analyzing disease trends. This method has limitations, particularly when patients do not receive hospital care or when data collection is inadequate. The innovation of applying wastewater analysis allows for observing the correlation between pathogen counts and patient numbers, enabling a more precise evaluation of pathogen spread and providing timely decision-making to prevent disease outbreaks more efficiently than before. This innovation resulted from a collaboration between the Department of Environmental Science at Chulalongkorn University, the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Chulabhorn Research Institute, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Walailak University, and various government agencies. Research began with establishing a proof of concept for disease outbreak detection using wastewater analysis by sampling wastewater from the Drainage and Sewerage Office in Bangkok. It was discovered that COVID-19 outbreaks could be predicted up to two weeks in advance through this method. The findings have since been expanded to other areas in Bangkok and applied to test for additional pathogens, allowing for early warnings about disease outbreaks and facilitating efficient preventive measures.
Innovation that is effectively utilized for preventing epidemics in the future
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat noted that in addition to being an innovation to combat COVID-19, the methodology can also be applied to other diseases like monkeypox, gastrointestinal illnesses, and influenza. This approach aids in reducing outbreak tracking costs and supplies valuable information for decision-making regarding public health resource allocation within relevant agencies, including the Environmental Health Office, Department of Health, and the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. This contributes to advancements in monitoring and prevention efforts against future epidemics, incorporating wastewater data to track changes in virus strains and outbreaks that may assist in developing vaccines and preventive strategies.
The UNPSA Awards are established by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UN Economic and Social Council) as an international accolade recognizing excellence in public service, emphasizing initiatives that are innovative and beneficial to the public, which lead to enhanced administrative efficiency and responsiveness to citizens globally, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award exemplifies the quality of research and innovation emerging from Thailand that can compete on the global stage.
For further details regarding the UNPSA Awards, visit:
For more information about the work of award-winning professors at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Science, visit:
https://publicadministration.un.org/unpsa/database/Winners/2024-winners/Academic-Insight-into-Action-for-Pandemic-Response
Chulalongkorn University’s Innovative Approach to Epidemic Prevention Wins UNPSA 2024 Award
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat Saengsanon of the Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, has been honored with the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for 2024 in the category of innovation in public administration. His groundbreaking work, titled “Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response”, focuses on applying scientific knowledge to enhance epidemic prevention efforts, particularly through wastewater monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding Wastewater Epidemiology
Wastewater epidemiology is a powerful tool used to determine the prevalence of various pathogens in communities, aiding in early warning for potential outbreaks. This innovative approach can:
- Provide timely alerts before actual disease outbreaks occur.
- Minimize costs associated with traditional disease tracking methods.
- Detect the presence of illicit drugs, further helping in public health management.
The Importance of the Award-Winning Innovation
Dr. Saengsanon’s project highlights the significance of real-time data collection through wastewater sampling, empowering public health officials to respond rapidly to emerging health threats.
Key Benefits of Wastewater Monitoring
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Early Detection | Identifies potential outbreaks before symptoms are reported. |
| Cost-Efficiency | Reduces expenditures linked to extensive epidemiological studies. |
| Community Health Insight | Offers a clearer picture of pathogen levels in the community. |
Innovative Methods in Action
Traditionally, health authorities rely on clinical visits and hospital data to track disease patterns. This conventional method often leads to delays, as many individuals may not report their symptoms. Through his innovative approach, Dr. Saengsanon utilizes wastewater data to:
- Provide a more accurate reflection of community health.
- Conduct preventive measures more effectively by forecasting outbreaks.
Collaboration for Greater Impact
The research involved a collaboration between multiple entities, including:
- Chulalongkorn University
- King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
- Walailak University
- Chulabhorn Research Institute
- Government agencies
Using wastewater samples collected from Bangkok’s drainage systems, the team demonstrated that pathogen levels correlate with clinical case numbers, enabling predictions about disease spread up to two weeks in advance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Real-World Applications and Future Prospects
This innovative wastewater measurement approach is not limited to COVID-19. Dr. Saengsanon indicates its applicability to various diseases such as:
- Monkeypox
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Influenza
Cost Implications and Resource Allocation
The capability to predict outbreaks not only helps in timely interventions but also significantly reduces the costs associated with controlling epidemics. As Dr. Saengsanon points out, this methodology generates invaluable data for:
- Resource allocation in public health sectors.
- Tracking shifts in virus strains.
- Aiding vaccine development processes.
UNPSA Awards and Recognition
The UNPSA Awards, administered by the UN Economic and Social Council, celebrate outstanding achievements in public service which align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Saengsanon’s recognition illustrates the importance of innovative research in enhancing public welfare.
Conclusion
The work of Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatuwat Saengsanon stands as a beacon of excellence in integrating scientific research with practical applications in public health. For further details about the UNPSA Awards recipients and to explore more about this impactful research, visit:
For an in-depth view of the award-winning initiative, check out: Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response
