Health Poverty Action is working with indigenous people in the isolated Ratanakiri Province of Cambodia to improve their access to appropriate, good quality healthcare.
Highland indigenous communities make up 65% of the population here – some 75,000 people – and yet most cannot access health services due to socio-economic and cultural barriers.
This project is establishing a local organisation that will support the community in articulating their own health needs, campaigning for more facilities and better services.
It will train the indigenous communities to understand their health problems and take a greater role in influencing policy-makers. The ‘Indigenous People’s Health Association’ (IPHA) will also challenge discrimination.
The project also trains community volunteers to promote better health in their communities.
![Community Theatre[2]](http://www.healthpovertyaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Community-Theatre2.jpeg "Community Theatre[2]")
The IPHA raises awareness of key health issues in the villages using traditional methods such as community theatre, puppet shows and story telling.
Health Poverty Action has worked to improve the health of indigenous people in Ratanakiri since 1990 and this project builds on our previous successes here.
Nalea has been elected by his community as a community volunteer. He hopes to improve his communication skills so he can secure a health post for his village and try to reduce user fees.
Last modified: 27/06/2011
