The move also follows the massive landfill fire at the Phuket Provincial Integrated Waste Disposal Centre in Saphan Hin last month, during which thick smoke spread across nearby residential areas and affected local residents living close to the site.
Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn visited the Saphan Hin community in Wichit yesterday to launch the health surveillance project for residents affected by operations at the Phuket Provincial Integrated Waste Disposal Centre.
The event was held at the Saphan Hin Village multipurpose building in Wichit and was attended by Wichit Municipality Deputy Mayor Wiset Sabaijit, local leaders, community representatives and medical teams from Vachira Phuket Hospital, who provided on-site health checks for residents.
Gov Nirat said the province was concerned about the long-term impact of environmental problems faced by communities living near the waste disposal centre, including persistent foul smells, insects and possible health risks.
He noted that many residents in the area had never undergone systematic health screenings, prompting the province to accelerate the project.
Funded with B434,750 from the Phuket Provincial Electricity Development Fund, the programme is being carried out by the Public Health and Environment Division of Wichit Municipality.
Gov Nirat said officials had expanded the project to cover more than 200 residents considered at risk.
The screenings include blood pressure checks, medical history reviews, stool tests for preliminary cancer screening, and mobile X-ray services to detect abnormalities in the lungs and respiratory system. Medical staff are also providing treatment for skin conditions believed to be linked to the surrounding environment.
Residents found to be at risk of serious illness will be referred directly into the healthcare system under their existing medical rights without additional expense, Gov Nirat said.
The landfill fire erupted on Apr 11 and burned for more than 34 hours before being brought under control. Officials declared the site a disaster relief zone as smoke and fumes spread across surrounding communities. At least 82 households and more than 200 residents were affected by the smoke during the incident.
Gov Nirat added that data collected through the project would also be used by authorities to improve future public health planning and environmental management around the waste disposal centre, with the aim of balancing Phuket’s development with the health and safety of nearby residents.