A hospital leading Thailand’s health-driven air quality mission
Nestled in the heart of Bangkok, the Neurological Institute of Thailand (NIT)—a specialized government hospital for neurological disorders under the Department of Medical Services (DMS), Ministry of Public Health—has long been recognized for its neurological care, training, policy advocacy, and research (1). Today, it has expanded its mission to address a critical environmental challenge: air pollution.
For years, Thailand has faced recurring haze and high PM2.5 pollution levels, particularly during the agricultural burning season. Recognizing the impact on health, the Ministry of Public Health instructed all hospitals to establish pollution clinics to monitor air quality, report findings, and improve local environments. The NIT has become one of the flagship facilities in support of this initiative. Air pollution affects not only respiratory health but is also linked to many neurological conditions (2).
Building a foundation for change
At first, the NIT’s environmental team encountered challenges. Dr. Tumnark, M.D., who coordinated and implemented the project, explained that early monitoring equipment often failed, producing unreliable results and data gaps.
“We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably,” said Dr. Tumnark.
After comparing multiple solutions, the hospital selected IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor. “We selected the AirVisual Outdoor for its reliability, easy maintenance, and its long-term efficiency,” recalled Dr. Tumnark. “Before long, it became the backbone of our environmental monitoring efforts.”
Connecting data to better health
What started as a simple data project soon became a bridge between hospital operations and community health. The hospital uses the AirVisual Dashboard to visualize trends, generate reports, and share information with Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. Beyond government reporting, this data has strengthened community engagement.
Live readings are displayed in outpatient departments and on digital boards, allowing patients and families to see pollution levels in real time. The team even created a Line chatbot—Thailand’s most popular messaging app—to broadcast daily PM2.5 updates to staff and nearby residents.
“These steps might seem small,” said Dr. Tumnark, “but they built a culture of awareness. Every day, more people checked the data and talked about the air they were breathing.”
From a single initiative to a community model
The hospital replaced air filters, expanded its outreach, and built staff training around pollution awareness. What began as a modest internal effort has grown into a model for Thailand’s broader health and environment strategy.
Today, the NIT’s air quality station has earned a following of nearly 40,000 users, making it one of Thailand’s most-viewed hospital-managed monitoring stations. This visibility has transformed the Institute’s work into a source of daily awareness for residents across Bangkok—helping families, students, and health professionals track pollution in real time and take action to protect their health.
Dr. Tumnark said: “As a government neurological hospital, our mission goes beyond treating disease. We are here to promote health—and that means protecting the air we all share.”
A vision for a cleaner future
The NIT’s initiative continues to evolve as part of Thailand’s national health and environment policy. By contributing accurate, publicly accessible data through IQAir’s network, the hospital empowers policymakers and communities alike to take informed, preventive action.
“Our journey is like running a marathon,” Dr. Tumnark said. “It takes endurance, teamwork, and persistence. But step by step, we’re getting closer to the clear blue skies our children deserve.”
“We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably. It wasn’t just about the data—it was about protecting patients and the community.”
The takeaway
The Neurological Institute of Thailand demonstrates how hospitals can integrate environmental responsibility into public health. By combining science, awareness, and community engagement, the institute is turning air-quality monitoring into real-world action—proving that protecting health begins with understanding the air we breathe.
