Church of Jesus Christ donation boosts newborn care at Ramathibodi Hospital

BANGKOK — Christians from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Dec. 19, 2025, donated a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine to Ramathibodi Hospital, part of Mahidol University, in a move aimed at strengthening newborn care and supporting medical education in Thailand.

Elder Natthaphon Lattisophonkun joined humanitarian specialists during the official handover ceremony, where Associate Professor Dr. Anchalee Limrangsikul, head of the hospital’s Division of Neonatology, formally received the equipment on behalf of the institution. Hospital officials said the advanced ultrasound system enables detailed imaging of newborns’ vital organs, including the brain, blood vessels, lungs, heart and abdomen — capabilities considered critical in neonatal diagnosis and treatment.

The machine was tested immediately following the ceremony with its first pediatric patient, producing clear images of the infant’s heart and blood vessels, according to medical staff present. Physicians said the technology will benefit more than 40 young patients while also serving as an essential teaching tool for doctors in training, particularly those specializing in pediatrics and neonatology.

Hospital representatives said the equipment will be maintained under established protocols and accompanied by regular usage reporting to ensure long-term impact. Church representatives described the donation as part of their ongoing humanitarian efforts to improve newborn health outcomes and strengthen medical education in Thailand.