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With a personal donation to the Red Cross Science Division, the Mahidol Wongsanusorn
building was constructed in 1950 to produce B.C.G. vaccines. His Majesty also set up the
Rajpracha Samasai Foundation which served as a research and development centre and which
has contributed to the dramatic decrease in the incidence of leprosy.

The Thai Red Cross has been a primary beneficiary of His Majesty’s support, especially in its
work in producing vaccines and serums. In 1952 he set up the blood service centre which
developed into the National Blood Service Centre in 1969. His Majesty has also assisted in
the funding of research programmes relating to hormones, bones and joints, the nervous system,
and blood.

On top of His Majesty the King’s commitment to assisting the government to address current
healthcare needs through the establishment of funds, programmes and foundations, he firmly
believes in the future, that is the development of Thai medical expertise. The late Princess
Mother saw the importance of this area and used her personal funds to send many Thais
to study medicine overseas. His Majesty continued to support his mother’s work by establishing
the Ananda Mahidol Fund.

His Majesty’s attitude towards healthcare can perhaps best be described in his own words.
During a visit to a tuberculosis treatment centre on 6th April 1950 His Majesty said “Is there a
medicine that can cure this disease? If you lack any medicine, I will find it for you. I want to
see Thai medicine progress.”