Innovation for Patients' Lives
– Prof. Dr. Orapan Poachanukoon –
“Ann Asthma” is the nickname of Prof. Dr. Orapan Poachanukoon, an allergy and asthma expert at the Allergy Excellence Centre at BNH Hospital. She is the owner of numerous research and medical innovations, all driven by her genuine care for her patients. In addition to her success in the medical field, her life story is filled with inspiring lessons that encourage those looking to improve their lives for a better quality of living.
A Lifelong Desire to Become a Doctor
“As far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor.”
Since kindergarten, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, young Orapan would always answer the same way: a doctor. She has never changed her answer throughout her life. Even at the age of 54, she is still happy to do what she loves, and there has never been a day where she didn’t want to be a doctor.
Born in Surat Thani and raised in Hat Yai, in a family with Southern roots, Orapan grew up with an awareness of the significance of the medical profession. She fondly recalls how her late father used to take her to Songkla University, where the statue of King Chulalongkorn, the Father of Modern Medicine in Thailand, stands. Although she was young at the time, this experience influenced her understanding of the responsibilities of a medical career, one that puts the well-being of patients above all else, a dream she has always pursued.
After the passing of her father, Orapan’s mother became a single mother, working tirelessly to raise her three children. Despite financial challenges, her mother was determined to support her children’s education. Inspired by her mother’s strength, Orapan chose to study medicine at Prince of Songkla University, and later specialised in paediatrics for four more years, staying close to her family.
“Today, my mother continues to be my inspiration and the role model I look up to.”
Around 30 years ago, few medical students were interested in studying allergies, despite the rising number of patients. Driven by this gap, Orapan chose to specialise in allergies at Siriraj Hospital, marking the first time she had to leave her hometown to live in Bangkok.
“My life changed drastically. I had to adjust to many things, like taking the bus and studying subjects that were tough. But since I had a passion for what I was doing, I persisted. Life always involves hardships because that’s how we learn.”
Her strong desire to help others was a driving force that made Orapan strive to be a better doctor every day. However, she realised that the time available to treat patients was limited, so she made the decision to become a medical educator to train more doctors who could help more people. This decision led her to apply for a teaching position at Thammasat University, even though teaching was never something she had dreamed of.
The Innovation Queen
Over ten years ago, a father brought his child, who had asthma, to see Prof. Dr. Orapan. The treatment required an expensive nebuliser, but the father could not afford it.
“Why don’t we come up with something great so that your child can be proud of?” Prof. Dr. Orapan asked the father, who was an engineer. Together, they developed a DIY nebuliser to help the child without incurring expensive costs. This innovation not only helped the child but also led to a wider effort, where Prof. Dr. Orapan taught other asthma patients and their families how to create their own nebulisers. The project gained international attention, with Prof. Dr. Orapan being invited to showcase the innovation in South Korea and Switzerland, winning awards along the way. Eventually, the Thai government’s Plastic Institute partnered to help scale up production, turning it into a mass-produced product for the country, known as the Thai Kit Spacer.
“We raised funds to donate the Thai Kit Spacer to hospitals, and so far, we’ve donated around 40,000 units, worth about 7 million baht. All of it was supported by the private sector.”
What began as an effort to help a patient’s child transformed into an innovation that helped thousands of asthma patients access affordable treatment. Over the course of nearly 10 years, the Thai Kit Spacer became an essential tool for improving the quality of life for many people with asthma.
Changing Lifestyles to Combat Allergies
In 2016, following the death of King Bhumibol, a female patient of Prof. Dr. Orapan was determined to attend the King’s funeral but was unable to leave her home due to severe asthma attacks triggered by environmental factors like dust and incense smoke.
“She had to leave her job because of her asthma, and although medication helped to some extent, it wasn’t enough. I looked for other factors that could be causing her asthma flare-ups and finally realised that her weight, stress, and environmental factors were playing a major role in her condition.”
Through perseverance and lifestyle changes, the patient lost 20 kilograms, started exercising daily, and was able to attend the royal funeral and live her life without relying on medication. Prof. Dr. Orapan’s approach demonstrated that while medication is necessary for managing asthma, lifestyle changes can lead to long-term improvements, even without medication.
“I always tell my patients that if we’re truly committed to improving our health, lifestyle changes are just as important as the medicine.”
Making Allergy Treatment Accessible for All
Prof. Dr. Orapan’s journey in allergy treatment innovation has led to the development of herbal medicines for treating allergic conditions, with research supported by a 10-million-baht grant from the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. After 15 years of research, her herbal antihistamine has shown promising results comparable to conventional allergy medications, and the product is now undergoing approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Expanding Knowledge and Education
In addition to her clinical practice, Prof. Dr. Orapan has become a renowned educator, sharing her expertise through platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and even TikTok. Her YouTube channel, “Asthma Talks by Dr. Ann“, provides valuable insights into managing allergies, while her book, “Then Allergies Will Lose to Us“, shares her personal journey of battling allergies and improving her lifestyle.
“Even on TikTok, I have a channel called ‘Dr. Ann_Allergy’. It’s fun to create content and share it. I believe that knowledge can be shared through many platforms.”
The Passion for Helping Others
Prof. Dr. Orapan’s dedication to public service has led her to contribute to numerous charity and volunteer activities. Despite the busy demands of her professional life, she has spent over 10 years travelling to remote areas, providing healthcare services to underserved communities. Her selfless dedication to helping others continues to inspire those around her, from her medical colleagues to the people she serves.
“I’ve always believed that when you’re doing something good, people will come to support you. Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you take action.”
A Balance Between Work and Life
Even with her numerous roles and responsibilities, Prof. Dr. Orapan believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She is committed to both her work and her personal well-being, engaging in regular exercise, and finding time for personal hobbies like singing.
“I always tell my students that in order to live a balanced life, work should enable you to sustain your life and help you maintain that balance.”
In addition to her career, Prof. Dr. Orapan also continues to pursue her childhood dream of singing. Despite her busy schedule, she is determined to one day become a singer, expressing herself through music in the same way she has through medicine.
“I love singing and entertaining people. One day, I hope to perform on stage.”
A Journey of Giving and Innovation
Prof. Dr. Orapan Poachanukoon’s life and work are a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and a commitment to helping others. Her dedication to her patients, the innovations she has created, and her desire to continuously improve both herself and her community have made her a pioneering figure in the field of allergy and asthma treatment in Thailand.
Her message is simple yet heartfelt: when you follow something you love, make a difference, and keep pushing yourself to grow, you can achieve wonderful things while leaving a positive mark on the world.
Customer’s Story
Prof. ORAPAN POACHANUKOON, M.D., Ph.D.
ศ. ดร. พญ. อรพรรณ โพชนุกูล
Speciality
Pediatrics
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Fellowship
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Pediatrics, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
Thai Medical Council, Pediatrics
Certificate
BDMS Doctor and Dentist orientation, BDMS, Thailand
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Female
Schedule
BAAC BNH ASTHMA AND ALLERGY CENTER
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | - |
| Tuesday | - |
| Wednesday | - |
| Thursday | 15:00 - 19:00 |
| Friday | - |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Sunday | - |
This is the doctor's regular weekly schedule. Actual availability may vary — please confirm the available date and time when you make an appointment.