A Historical Account of Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital

          In February 1965, Dr. Cherd Tonavanik, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, together with Dr. R.S. Allison, a neurologist from the United Kingdom, Dr. John Pritchard, a pediatric neurology consultant, and Dr. Boonsom Martin, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital (currently Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital), jointly considered establishing the "Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic" as a branch of Phayathai Neurological Hospital (Phayathai Hospital for Nervous Diseases). Subsequently, it was decided to establish the Neurological Research Clinic in Chiang Mai under the Second National Economic Development Plan (1967-1971).

          With the cooperation and support of the Faculty of Medicine, Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital, a plot of land measuring 12 rai (approximately 4.7 acres) was allocated for the construction of the clinic's buildings. The construction of the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic began with the Sanitary Engineering Division, Department of Health, as the designer, and Chai Siri Construction Company as the contractor. This included the administration and outpatient building, doctors' residences, nurses' residences, kitchen, and laundry room. The construction budget was 2 million Baht. The clinic officially opened for outpatient services on September 15, 1968, according to Announcement No. 61/2511 dated September 15, 1968. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, then Director of the Neurological Institute Hospital, served as the director, with Dr. Arkom Surasuchart as the acting head of the department. The area where the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic was built was originally an overgrown garden with only mounds and pits, which was transformed into a medical service facility for the public.

Objectives of the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic

The Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic was established with the following objectives:

1. To conduct neurological research in collaboration with Phayathai Neurological Hospital and other medical institutions.
2. To provide examination and treatment services for neurological or nervous system diseases to people in the northern region.
3. To admit patients referred for neurological consultations from various hospitals in the northern region.
4. To collaborate with university faculties of medicine in providing neurological education and training to medical students.
5. To disseminate knowledge about nervous system diseases to students and the general public.

Neurological Disorders Treated at the Clinic

          The Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic provided examination and treatment for conditions such as paralysis, headaches, loss of balance, and seizures, encompassing various diseases of the nervous system, including:

1. Inflammatory diseases of the nerves:g., meningitis, brain abscess, myelitis, peripheral neuritis.
2. Tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
3. Injuries:g., concussions, spinal cord injuries, and peripheral nerve injuries.
4. Congenital malformations:g., hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, muscle deformities.
5. Degenerative neurological diseases:g., cerebral atrophy, spinal cord atrophy.
6. Seizure disorders:g., epilepsy, seizures after alcohol withdrawal.
7. Diseases caused by poisoning and nutritional deficiencies:g., manganese poisoning, chemical poisoning, drug toxicity, and peripheral neuritis.
8. Neuromuscular diseases:g., muscle atrophy and inflammation.
9. Vascular diseases:g., cerebral vascular malformations, rupture, stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysms.
10. Other neurological diseases.

            The research clinic did not admit patients with psychiatric symptoms such as delirium, unconsciousness, delusions, self-isolation, false beliefs, paranoia, and emotional disabilities.

Early Staff and Development

            In 1968, Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn was the director of the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic, with five consulting physicians: Dr. Boonsom Martin, Dr. Tawan Wiriyakul, Dr. Roekkasem, Dr. Jira Sitasuwan, and Dr. Rangsi Pornpibul. Initially, the clinic had a total of 21 personnel.

            On February 11, 1969, the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic began admitting inpatients for the first time, with Dr. Sarangsarn Kraisan as the acting head of the department and Dr. Ronakorn Pruechabutra as the resident physician. The clinic had 55 beds.

            On July 18, 1969, Police General Prasert Ruchirawong, then Minister of Public Health, visited the Neurological Research Clinic and donated 100,000.00 Baht for the construction of a special patient building.

            On Thursday, January 29, 1970, at 3:25 PM, Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit presided over the official opening ceremony of the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic.

Name Changes and Expansion

            In 1971, the Chiang Mai Neurological Research Clinic was renamed "Chiang Mai Neurological Clinic." Subsequently, in 1975, it was renamed Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital due to a new departmental restructuring within the Mental Health Division of the Department of Medical Services.

            In 1977, the Department of Medical Services issued an order designating Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital as a psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Division of the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, with the English name "Chiang Neuropsychiatric Hospital."

            In 1982, Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital expanded its bed capacity from 55 beds to 100 beds. As the number of patients seeking treatment increased, the hospital undertook the expansion of its outpatient building into a three-story building, with construction commencing on June 13, 1986, and completed on April 8, 1987.

            From 1991 to the present, the hospital has expanded to a 240-bed facility. In 1993, a new departmental restructuring within the Ministry of Public Health mandated Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital to be reclassified as a specialized physical disease hospital, or a specialized hospital with neurology and neurosurgery departments, focusing on providing neurological services to the public. It was placed under the Department of Medical Services with the English name "Chiangmai Neurological Hospital," as per letter No. ST. 0301/2207 dated April 7, 1993.

Former Administrative Structure

            The original operational structure was divided into 11 departments, 7 units, and 2 clinics: Outpatient Department, Inpatient Department, Neurosurgery Department, Neuroradiology Department, Electrophysiology Department, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Neurobiochemistry Department, Administration and General Affairs Department, Nursing Department, Pharmacy Department, Neuropathology Department, Psychology Unit, Social Work Unit, Food Service Unit, Library Unit, Education and Training Unit, Neurological Research Unit, Public Relations Unit, Epilepsy Clinic, and Geriatric Clinic.

            Later, in 1980, Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital restructured its administration into 14 divisions: Outpatient Division, Psychiatry and Community Mental Health Division, General Psychiatry Division, Radiology and Special Examination Division, Academic Division, Nursing Division, Dentistry Division, Psychology Division, Pathology Division, Rehabilitation Division, Neurology Division, and General Administration. Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital underwent a further administrative restructuring on April 20, 1990, dividing into 4 divisions and 7 clusters: General Administration Division, Psychology Division, Social Work Division, Nursing Division, Outpatient Cluster, Neurology Cluster, Rehabilitation Cluster, Psychiatry and Community Mental Health Cluster, Dentistry Cluster, and Pharmacy Cluster.

Current Responsibilities

            Currently, Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital, under the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, is responsible for:

• Serving as a specialized medical institution in neurology and neurosurgery. It conducts studies, research, analysis, development, and transfer of academic knowledge and technology in neurology and neurosurgery. It also provides medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services.
• Conducting teaching and training for doctors and other medical personnel in neurology and neurosurgery.
• Promoting and developing the competency of medical and public health personnel in neurology and neurosurgery.
• Providing opinions in conjunction with the Neurological Institute for consideration in formulating policies and developing medical and public health academia.
• Collaborating with or supporting the operations of other relevant external agencies or as assigned.