Saint Louis Foundation
About the Saint Louis Foundation :
The compassionate care mission of Saint Louis Hospital involves providing assistance to patients who lack financial resources for medical treatment. Starting in the year 1979, when Ms. Malee Pasantawong held the position of Chairperson of the Hospital’s Promotional Committee, a fund was established to generate income and support these patients. This fund was named the “Love and Compassion Fund for Humanity.” The hospital invited individuals with compassionate hearts to donate to the fund and allocated the interest earned to cover expenses for disadvantaged patients receiving treatment at the hospital. Over the years, many patients in need of medical care have sought and received assistance from the Love and Compassion Fund.
The work of the Love and Compassion Fund has expanded in various areas, including mobile medical units, volunteer camps for health development, and providing health education to remote rural communities. In 1995, the hospital’s management team collected all the charitable works under the umbrella of a foundation. The foundation was officially registered on March 10, 1995, under the name “Saint Louis Foundation.” Later, on September 23, 1999, the foundation applied to change its name to “Saint Louis Foundation,” aligning it with the founder’s intentions and the foundation’s objectives.
The current Chairman of the Saint Louis Foundation is Most Venerable Phra Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu. The previous Chairpersons of the Foundation include:
1. Prof. Dr. Manarpan Boonkhunphol
2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yothin Khruawat
3. Dr. Ritthikrai Akarasakul
4. Fr.Prasert Trakwan
6. Fr.Somchai Anchalee Phonsan
7. Fr.Chokchai Kuratansuwann
8. Fr. Winai Ritthibunchai
9. Rev. Mother Sermarya Rosar Pitak
10. Chokchai Kuratansuwann
11.Sr.Irene Chamnantam
Mission : “To alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged in society and promote a dignified quality of life that enables them to thrive within the community.”
Vision : “We are committed to assisting the underprivileged in society without discrimination based on race or religion.”
The objectives of establishing the Saint Louis Foundation are as follows :
1. To provide assistance and support to financially disadvantaged patients seeking treatment at Saint Louis’s Hospital.
2. To provide assistance and care for elderly individuals and underprivileged children.
3. To support healthcare services for underserved communities.
4. To support education and research in the field of public health.
5. To engage in public welfare activities and collaborate with other charitable organizations for the benefit of the public.
6. To promote and support community awareness and participation in the conservation of natural resources and the environment.
7. To refrain from engaging in any political activities.
The operations of the St. Luke’s Foundation are as follows:
1. Patient Welfare Program
Provide welfare services to underprivileged patients or those with low income who do not have caregivers or have financially struggling caregivers, and who receive treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital. Offer appropriate assistance without discrimination based on race or religion. Categorize the recipients of welfare into general patients, kidney disease patients, and heart disease patients (Heart Compassion Project).
2. Centennial Elderly Club Project
Provide health promotion services to elderly individuals in the vicinity of St. Luke’s Hospital, allowing them opportunities to come together, socialize, exchange experiences, and support each other in terms of health, lifestyle, and religion. The services are available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding official holidays and public holidays. Membership is open to individuals aged 60 and above, without discrimination based on race or religion. For more information, please contact the Centennial Elderly Club at St. Luke’s Hospital at 02-838-5444.
3. Community Service Program
Establish healthcare units, promote health, and rehabilitate the health of underprivileged individuals in disadvantaged communities and remote areas, in collaboration with St. Luke’s Hospital. This includes:
· Mobile Medical Unit/Primary Care Unit
· Community Health Clinic in Nongkham garbage dump
· Volunteer Health Development Camps in remote areas
4. Education and Research Funding Support
Provide support for education and research related to nursing care, patient care, elderly care, and social welfare for students, scholars, and staff of the St. Luke’s Organization who lack financial resources, ensuring continuous and appropriate care.
5. Fundraising Activities to Support Various Projects of Saint Louis’s Foundation
Each year, the St. Luke’s Foundation incurs significant expenses for various projects, which increase annually. Therefore, it is necessary to seek funding to support these projects continuously. Fundraising activities may include:
· Setting up donation boxes / Scan the QR code for the Saint Louis Foundation.
· Distributing donation request brochures
· Organizing other appropriate special events.
“The Saint Louis Foundation has been working continuously in the field of social welfare until the present.”
- Since the year 1991 (B.E. 2534) until now, the foundation has organized an annual volunteer health development camp for the underprivileged in society, particularly those who are far from public health services. The camp provides general health check-ups, as well as oral and dental healthcare, and promotes health knowledge to empower the community to live a healthy life.
- Since the year 1995 (B.E. 2538) until the present, the foundation has established mobile medical units that operate on a monthly basis. These units provide general health check-ups, oral and dental healthcare, and basic health education to the general public and the underprivileged who are geographically distant from healthcare facilities.
- Since the year 1995 (B.E. 2538) until the present, the foundation has also established primary healthcare units in response to requests from the general public to participate in activities organized by temples and various organizations in the Bangkok metropolitan area and its surrounding provinces. The purpose is to provide basic healthcare services to the public.
- In the year 1995 (B.E. 2538) until the present, the Saint Louis Foundation has organized a community clinic in Nongkhaem Municipality to provide healthcare services to the local residents on a monthly basis.
- In the year 1997 (B.E. 2540), the hospital management committee recognized the importance of the elderly as valuable human resources with knowledge and experiences. Therefore, they established the Centuries Club to honor and support the elderly in the community by organizing activities and providing assistance in their daily lives and religious practices.
- From the year 2001 (B.E. 2544) until the present, the foundation has implemented the ‘One Baht for Kidney Patients’ project to raise funds for continuous treatment and support the livelihoods of kidney patients, allowing them to lead normal lives.
- In the year 2002 (B.E. 2545), the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with the Saint Louis Heart Institute, launched the ‘Compassionate Heart’ project to assist patients with heart diseases in receiving proper treatment. As part of the project, 75 individuals received medical attention. This project was a royal charity initiated by His Majesty the King in celebration of his 75th birthday anniversary. Currently, the foundation has successfully treated and performed surgeries on 75 patients with heart diseases, including 30 children and 45 adults, at a cost of 15,135,232.50 Baht.
- In the year 2004 (B.E. 2547), the foundation organized the Dental Care Project to provide oral and dental healthcare services to youth and the general public in Khun Huay Chang Narrow Channel, Phop Phra District, Tak Province.
- From the year 2004 (B.E. 2547) to 2010 (B.E. 2550), the Saint Louis Foundation collaborated with the Saint Louis Hospital to implement the ‘Together for Tsunami Victims’ project in Phang Nga and Krabi provinces. The project aimed to provide medical treatment, emotional support, and psychological rehabilitation to the affected victims, as well as provide guidance for their healthcare. Additionally, the foundation provided financial resources and consumer goods to the victims.
- In the year 2011 (B.E. 2554), the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with the Saint Louis Hospital, established a mobile medical unit to assist flood victims in various areas, including Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Lopburi. The project aimed to provide medical treatment, emotional support, and psychological rehabilitation to the affected victims, as well as provide guidance for their healthcare. Additionally, the foundation provided financial resources and consumer goods to the victims.
- From the year 2011-present: Mobile medical units are organized to provide healthcare services, including health examinations and treatments, to migrant workers (Burmese nationals) and accompanying individuals working in Bang Ya Phraek Sub-district, Tha Chalom, and Tha Chin, Samut Sakhon province. The services are provided regularly every 4 months on the 4th Sunday of the month, from 07:00 to 14:00.
- In the year 2011, a mobile medical unit was organized at Mae Phra Bung Temple, Ban Panganiew School, Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai province, to provide general health examinations, oral health and dental care, as well as basic health education to disadvantaged individuals who are far from healthcare services.
- In the year 2012, mobile medical units were organized at Prichayanat School, Sirirojana School, and Ya Saef (Aka) Temple, Phop Phra district, Tak province, to provide general health examinations, oral health and dental care, as well as basic health education to the disadvantaged individuals who are far from healthcare services.
- In the year 2013, Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized a healthcare development volunteer camp at Ban Kluai Center, Mueang Pan district, Lamphun province, to provide general health examinations, oral health and dental care, as well as promote health education to the underprivileged individuals in society and those far from healthcare services.
- In the year 2014, mobile medical units were organized in the areas of Ban Huai Pai sub-district, Lamphun province, and in the areas of Mae Sariang and Wiang Pa Pao districts, Chiang Rai province, to provide general health examinations, oral health and dental care, as well as basic health education to disadvantaged individuals who are far from healthcare services.
- In the year 2015, mobile medical units were organized in the areas of Mae Sariang and Wiang Pa Pao districts, Chiang Rai province, to provide general health examinations, oral health and dental care, as well as basic health education to disadvantaged individuals who are far from healthcare services.
- From the year 2015-2016, Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized the “Merit Year of Mettatham” project to provide appropriate assistance to the underprivileged individuals in society, promote health education, and help them live happily in society.
- From the year 2016 to the present, mobile medical units are organized at Samakkhisongkhro School (Wat Rong Mu), Khlong Toei, Bangkok, to provide healthcare services to the people in the area and nearby locations twice a year, on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 07:30 to 13:00.
- In the year 2017,Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized mobile medical units to assist flood victims in the southern region and at Mai Ngern (Garigoyles) Temple, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province, and the surrounding areas. The services provided include general health examinations and promoting health education to the community.
- In the year 2018, Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized mobile medical units to assist the people and underprivileged individuals far from healthcare services in Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai province, Mueang district, Chiang Rai province, and Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai province. The services provided include general health examinations and promoting health education to the community.
- In the year 2018 AD, which marked the 120th anniversary of the Saint Louis Hospital Foundation’s operations, the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized a project to promote health and provide emotional support to elderly individuals in need. This included administering vaccines for three strains of influenza and providing daily necessities and emotional support to the elderly in the vicinity of Saint Louis Hospital.
- In the year 2019 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized a mobile medical unit project to assist flood victims in the southern region, specifically in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, and Songkhla provinces, as well as at various locations near Chiang Mai. The project aimed to provide general healthcare services and promote health knowledge among the public.
- In the year 2020 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation organized a mobile medical unit project at Wat Phra Mae Mari Nong Hang, Mae La Ka School, Khun Yuam District, Mae Hong Son Province, to provide general healthcare services and promote health knowledge among the public.
- In the year 2021 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation organized a COVID-19 disaster relief project by distributing 1,500 sets of COVID-19 relief supplies to communities in nearby areas affected by the pandemic.
- In the year 2021 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation also organized a flood relief project by distributing 1,200 livelihood sets to flood victims in the affected areas.
- In the year 2022 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation organized a COVID-19 disaster relief project by distributing 100 sets of COVID-19 relief supplies to communities near Saint Louis Hospital, where the pandemic was spreading.
- In the year 2022 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized a mobile medical unit project at Ban Mari A School, Marisae Church Foundation, Wat Phra Ruedai, Community of Phalap, and Community of Rua Jim, in Ranong Province, to provide general healthcare services and promote health knowledge among the public
- In the year 2023 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation, in collaboration with Saint Louis Hospital, organized a mobile medical unit project in the pastoral area of Mary Queen of Peace Mission, Chae Hom District, Lampang Province. The initiative aimed to provide general health check-ups and promote health knowledge among the local community.
- In the year 2024 AD, the Saint Louis Foundation, together with Saint Louis Hospital, continued its mobile medical unit project in the pastoral area of Mary Queen of Peace Mission, Chae Hom District, Lampang Province, to offer general health services and foster public awareness of health and hygiene.
- In the year 2024 AD, the mobile medical unit extended its services to Our Lady of Redemption Church, Ban Hang Thang Luang, Phu Fa Subdistrict, Bo Kluea District, Nan Province, ensuring access to medical care and health education for the local population.
- The mobile medical team also provided assistance during the flood recovery phase in Mueang and Wiang Pa Pao Districts, Chiang Rai Province. The mission aimed to deliver medical care, offer emotional support, and help restore the mental well-being of those affected by the disaster. The team also provided guidance on personal health care, alongside distributing financial aid and essential supplies to the flood victims
The Saint Louis Foundation Projects
- Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients : Provision of Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients with Financial Hardships and Healthcare Expenses.
- Centuries Senior Club : Providing Health Promotion Services to Elderly People in the Surrounding Area to Foster Social Interaction, Exchange Experiences, and Support Each Other in terms of Health, Life, and Religion.
Community Services
The Mobile Medical Unit provides general healthcare services and health advice by doctors, nurses, and hospital staff from Centuries Hospital to the general public. They visit various temples within the metropolitan area of Bangkok and local communities in response to requests
First aid unit
Establishing a unit to provide primary healthcare services to the general public who participate in temple activities or various organizations within the metropolitan area of Bangkok. This includes occasions such as temple celebrations and special events, in response to requests.
The COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis Project
Distributing 100 sets of COVID-19 prevention kits to the communities near Centuries Hospital.