MORU highlighted how patient-centred research and laboratory capability contribute to regional health security during the official visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, on 17 July 2026.
The visit marked the launch of the ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership Programme in Thailand and celebrated the longstanding UK-Thailand partnership in global health.
A film shown during the launch event featured the experiences of melioidosis survivors from Ubon Ratchathani. The film connected their experiences with MORU’s longstanding research and engagement work on the disease, highlighting the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, timely treatment, laboratory capacity and surveillance.
Melioidosis is a frequently fatal infection caused by bacteria found in soil and water. The disease remains under-recognised and can be difficult to diagnose, making stronger awareness, laboratory services and surveillance important for improving patient care and understanding its public-health burden.
Following the programme showcase, MORU Director Prof Nick Day accompanied Her Royal Highness on a tour of a MORU malaria laboratory, where he introduced the Unit’s malaria research and laboratory work.
Together, the film and laboratory tour highlighted two connected aspects of health security: understanding the experiences and needs of people affected by disease, and strengthening the research and laboratory capabilities needed to detect and respond to health threats.