The premise of the “Southern Nurses Run For Well-being 2026” was to promote fitness and proactive healthcare measures while creating awareness of the role of nurses within the local community.
Uniting nursing practitioners from Phuket and the surrounding southern provinces, Sunday marked the fourth consecutive year that the event had been held.
Over 750 people participated in the event which included a 5-kilometer Fun Run for individuals and families. The underlying message of the occasion was to promote a healthy lifestyle among people of all ages through exercise and to raise awareness of continuous and sustainable health care, while strengthening the relationship between nurses and the public. Commemorative certificates and trophies were awarded to the best-placed finishers.
In addition to the race was the option to undergo a preliminary health check-up, including a blood pressure reading, body mass index (BMI) assessment, nutritional advice and a general mental health check.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam, who was joined by: Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO); Pibulsak Kittithorakun, Deputy Mayor of Phuket City; Kritporn Muangprom, President of the Phuket Nurses Club; as well as selected heads of government departments, representatives and medical staff from public and private hospitals, trade union representatives and members of the general public.
In her address as part of the opening ceremony, Mrs Kritporn explained that the event was held in commemoration of International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12 every year, to remember Florence Nightingale, the founder of the nursing profession.
It was also a convenient opportunity to foster unity among medical professionals from Phuket and surrounding provinces by sharing best practice approaches to healthcare, Mrs Kritporn added.
“Nurses play a vital role in not only in caring for patients in medical facilities, but also as important health leaders in society,” said Mr Suwit in his opening remarks.
“We extend the highest levels of praise to nursing personnel from both the public and private sectors for inspiring the public to recognise the importance of exercise and continuous self-care for a better quality of life and to reduce the long-term healthcare burden,” he added.