Vachira Phuket Hospital donations reach B483m as radiation centre fundraising continues

Vachira Phuket Hospital has received B483 million in donations for Phuket’s first radiation therapy centre, but fundraising will continue because the project’s B421-million construction contract does not cover essential systems, fit-out and equipment.

The hospital initially set a fundraising target of B290 million. Donations exceeded that amount by February 2025 and reached B431 million by July 2025, according to hospital officials.

Rawiphen Kingkaew, deputy director of administration at Vachira Phuket Hospital and project manager for the centre, said about B30 million more was needed for systems and equipment, including CCTV, electrical systems, internet networks, plumbing, interior works and additional medical equipment.

“The hospital is continuing to accept donations for interior decoration and the purchase of other medical equipment,” Ms Rawiphen said. She added that the hospital had applied to extend the campaign indefinitely, with no closing date set.

The B421-million construction contract covers two main buildings: a single-storey radiation therapy building and a six-storey support building with underground parking. Construction is about 25% complete, Ms Rawiphen told The Phuket News.

The Ministry of Public Health said last year that it had separately committed government funding for the centre’s two most expensive machines: a B120-million 4D high-energy particle accelerator radiation therapy machine and a B32-million treatment simulation and planning machine. Hospital officials have said the machines cannot be installed until the specialised building is completed.

The radiation therapy building is expected to be completed in November 2026. Interior work and equipment installation are scheduled to finish in March or April 2027, allowing treatment services to begin as soon as possible. The support building and underground parking are scheduled for completion in November 2027.

Once operational, the centre is expected to provide radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, chemotherapy and inpatient services for patients from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Vachira Phuket Hospital treats about 1,000 new cancer patients each year, with around 500 requiring radiotherapy. Patients currently needing radiation treatment must travel to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla or Bangkok.

Donations are still being accepted through Krung Thai Bank under the name “Donation for the Radiotherapy Building of Vachira Phuket Hospital”. Contributions are eligible for double tax deductions.