HEALTH
We aim to improve the quality of life of migrants in Mae Sot & Phop Phra by providing health education and increasing access to care.
We provided mental and physical healthcare services in remote migrant communities in Phop Phra that otherwise wouldn’t have access to a clinician.
Our Community Health Outreach Program employs a community-based approach to health education, preventing the spread of diseases in Phop Phra.
ACCESS TO CARE
MOBILE MEDICAL TEAM
Started in 2000, our Mobile Medical Team increased access to medical care for migrants living in the rural Phop Phra area. The team traveled to communities and delivered treatment for a wide range of medical issues. Additionally, they distributed family planning materials including contraception, provided preventative health maintenance, and promoted health education throughout the community. Our Mobile Medical Team was discontinued in 2017 as funding difficulties prohibit the hiring of a salaried doctor to lead the team. We are so grateful for Dr. Htin Zhaw and the rest of our team for their efforts in bringing primary care to Burmese migrants in need. You can learn more about the Mobile Medical Team’s accomplishments on our blog.
MENTAL HEALTH
In partnership with Johns Hopkins University, we tested community-based mental health counseling interventions in Phop Phra district and in SAW’s shelters, utilizing a team of 17 mental health workers to provide counseling services between 2012 and 2014.
NIGHT CLINIC
Our physician ran a daily evening clinic open to all shelter residents and community members free of charge. Services included basic treatments, medications and referrals for more serious cases to Mae Tao Clinic or Mae Sot General Hospital (depending on the condition). For shelter residents being referred, SAW covered all costs.
HEALTH EDUCATION
COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAM
OUR APPROACH:
We train leaders in migrant communities to facilitate health education workshops. Topics include personal hygiene, family planning, and common communicable and non-communicable diseases. Employing educators who reside in migrant communities ensures our services are accessible, increases the longevity of the program and allows sensitive topics to be comfortably discussed.
IMPACT
22
MIGRANT COMMUNITIES
250
PEOPLE REACHED
10
WORKSHOPS HELD IN 2018
PEER EDUCATOR STORIES
Daw Khaing Khaing Tun
Peer Educator and Principal of the White Migrant Learning Center
In addition to her role as a CHOP peer educator, Khaing Khaing Tun operates the White Migrant Learning Center, a small (and the only) school in her community that provides elementary through 7th grade education. Single with no children of her own, she devotes much of herself to helping her community. In fact, she is so dedicated that, in 2016, she worked a full academic year without a salary. When asked about the challenges her community faces, she noted that extreme poverty preclude educational opportunity for children.