PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya health officials brought sexual health screening directly to the Soi 6 community on October 13, with 90 people receiving services including bar workers and other residents who may face difficulties accessing healthcare during working hours. Pattaya Bhattamakun Hospital joined Pattaya City Public Health Office, the city’s Surveillance and Rapid Response Team (SRRT) and community representatives for the outreach program in the Soi 6 Yotsak area along Pattaya Beach Road.
The mobile service offered screening for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as cervical cancer screening for eligible women. Condoms were distributed and health education provided to encourage safer sexual practices and regular testing.
A bar worker who took part said having screening services close to her workplace made it easier to seek healthcare, reducing time constraints and helping her take better care of her health.
Health officials emphasized that regular screening based on individual risk is important because some sexually transmitted infections may show no symptoms in their early stages. Early testing can help people with abnormal results obtain confirmatory tests and enter treatment promptly, alongside medical advice and correct condom use.
The outreach also highlighted the importance of protecting privacy and reducing social stigma around sexual health. By bringing preventive services into the community, Pattaya health authorities aim to make screening more accessible to people across different occupations and circumstances.
The initiative reflects cooperation between municipal health teams, medical staff and community networks to promote early detection, prevention and better quality of life.
