On September 26, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chalermpol Chamchan, Director of the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), together with Emeritus Prof. Churnrurtai Kanchanachitra, Senior Advisor, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jongjit Rittirong, Deputy Director for Research, presented a bouquet to congratulate Dr. Viroj Tangcharoensathien (The Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) Foundation) on receiving the Mahidol University “Jingjate Award 2025”: Real World Impact for Sustainability (Outstanding Researcher Category).
Prof. Dr. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University, stated: “The Mahidol University Jingjate Award is a key testament to our new strategic direction toward Real World Impact. It embodies our mission to advance research as ‘Wisdom of the Land.’ This award is not merely a recognition but a demonstration of Real-World Impact in Action through research that truly benefits and transforms society sustainably. The University believes that valuing research with genuine impact is essential to national capacity development and fostering positive, lasting change in Thailand and the global community.”
[Research That Changed the Lives of Over 67 Million Thais: Outstanding Researcher Award]
The 2025 Outstanding Researcher Award was presented to Dr. Viroj Tangcharoensathien from The Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) Foundation. He is recognized as a pioneer behind Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage Scheme (known as the “30 Baht Health Care Scheme”), a landmark public policy that transformed Thai society by applying evidence-based research to policymaking. His research has benefitted over 67 million Thais, reducing household health expenditure from 5.4% to 2%, and was hailed by MIT as “The Great Equalizer.” Dr. Viroj also plays a key role internationally as Vice-Chair of the WHO Negotiation Committee and pioneered the Capitation Payment System for effective cost control in national health insurance.
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