Poor indigenous woman and children in Myanmar/Burma’s Wa region are now in better health as a result of a Health Poverty Action project.
We are improving the availability of basic health services and the quality of care provided for around 173,000 people, focusing particularly on women and young children.
- Local health workers attend regular training courses, ensuring that a basic health service is available.
- Children regularly receive vaccinations against preventable diseases such as measles and TB.
- More women give birth in sterile environments and receive culturally appropriate reproductive healthcare.
- Health education on disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation and HIV/AIDS is frequently carried out
- Establishing ‘community health management groups’ is leading to people’s active involvement in their own health.
We first started working in Wa in 2001, and due to high community and local government recognition, our work has continued in the area. We are working with the Health Department of the United Wa State party to develop a longer term strategic health plan for the region. Through this, we hope the local government will become increasingly involved in and responsible for the people’s health.
Since the start of the project in 2006, the number of women giving birth in sterile environments with help at hand from trained birth attendants has increased by almost 30%.
The project regularly broadcasts an innovative health programme on local TV stations.
Last year, more than 4,500 young children were vaccinated against potentially life threatening diseases.
Last modified: 09/12/2011
