On December 17, 2021, the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, the Thai Red Cross Society, the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, and Intronics Co., Ltd. held a joint press conference announcing that during the COVID-19 outbreak, Thailand faced a severe shortage of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) devices. The lack of these devices led to many preventable deaths among patients who required high-flow oxygen therapy.

In response, these organizations collaborated to develop an innovative medical device to support the treatment and save the lives of patients. This marked the first high-flow respiratory device developed and manufactured by Thai people, helping to reduce Thailand’s dependence on imported medical equipment.

More than 500 units have been delivered and are now in use at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and other hospitals across the country.