Improving Access

Table of Contents   Introduction Thai-Burma Border Scaling Up Improving Access China-Burma Border India-Burma Border Advocacy Next Steps

Improving Access with Ethnic Community Health Workers

In some areas of Burma, local ethnic health organizations have a relative advantage over large international organizations when navigating the constrained political landscape of humanitarian assistance under the military regime.

For example, the international humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) attempted to respond to the malaria crisis in conflict areas of eastern Burma but was forced to cease its operations due to constraints on its movement imposed by the junta.

In contrast to the experience of MSF, KDHW is able to circumvent the restrictions of the junta, and continues to expand its malaria program.

Village Health Workers: Delivering Malaria Control Interventions to IDPs Without Access to a Health Worker

Malaria program health workers of the KDHW are extending the training-of-trainer model to the village level by training Village Health Workers (VHW). Villagers have participated from the beginning of the malaria program by delivering educational messages and conducting house visits to monitor utilization of mosquito nets; but starting in early 2007, lay villagers are learning from indigenous health workers how to diagnose and treat malaria. Village health workers will greatly enhance the ability of the MCP to rapidly diagnose and treat malaria, which is the key to preventing morbidity and mortality in remote areas.

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