The Faculty of Medical Technology at Khon Kaen University has recently developed the third version of its pressure relief bed for patients with pressure sores.

Professor Dr. Wichai Eungpinichpong of the faculty said that the outstanding feature of this latest version is that its mattress can spread pressure more evenly, which will help relieve the pressure sores often suffered by bed-ridden patients.

The construction cost is estimated at about 10,000 bath each, which will be affordable for many elderly people, said Dr. Wichai, adding that the faculty is ready to share its knowhow with local communities so they can make the beds themselves.

As Thailand is an aging society, he said that older people now account for 20% of the population and, in Khon Kaen alone, there are about such 260,000 people, including about 20,000 bed-ridden patients.

Dr. Worawut Chompoopan, a lecturer at the Sirindhorn College of Public Health in Khon Kaen, said that the college, in cooperation with the Faculty of Medical Technology, has selected a number bed-ridden patients and has sent them pressure relief beds, so they can assess the feedback from the users.

One of the recipients, said that the bed she received has made it easier for her to take care of her 96-year-old bed-ridden mother and her pressure sores have improved.