2006 MERCI August 2006 Phang Nga- Phuket Clinics Report

2006 MERCI August 2006 Phang Nga- Phuket Clinics Report


MERCI is pleased to report on a second series of medical clinics recently held in Southern Thailand. The clinics were held over from August 18th – 25th, 2006 in the Phang Nga and Phuket Provinces of Thailand. We worked in partnership with Charis, The Hope of Thai People Foundation, and the international charity World Vision. The clinics were held in seven locations in three areas hard hit by the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004. Many of the patients served were poor with little or no access to medical care. A total of 514 patients were treated by two physicians and a staff of volunteers.

The Kuraburi District of the Phang Nga Province is a predominately Muslim area without any churches. In this district we worked with the assistance of personnel from World Vision at a government health center, a Tsunami-relocation housing development, a neighborhood clinic, and a Muslim community center. We saw 260 patients, including Muslims, Burmese, Chinese and Sea Gypsies.

Starting in November 2006 we are planning extended clinics in Kuraburi in cooperation with World Vision and the Hope of Thai People Takua Ba at least three times per year.

In the Ta Kua Ba District of the Phang Nga Province we held clinics over three days in three government local health centers. We saw 151 patients, including Sea Gypsies, Burmese and Chinese-Thai. These people groups are extremely poor and lived along the beach at the time of the Tsunami. Due to the extensive devastation and loss of lives the community is still struggling to recover. By working in cooperation with local government health officials our clinics helped meet the medical needs of very poor people.

In the Mai Kao sub-district of the northern tip of the island province of Phuket we held clinics over two days at government offices and saw 103 patients. This area is inhabited by Sea Gypsies, Chinese-Thai, and Muslims and these people in this area of the island of Phuket are some of the poorest residents of this tourist paradise and were also severely affected by the Tsunami.

During the trip we accompanied Mr. Sujit, a lawyer from Hope Foundation in Phuket on a visit to Long Island, which is located in Phang Nga Province near to Phuket. The residents of this island and one adjacent to it have reduced access to medical care. We met with nurses and the director of the local hospital there to begin planning clinics on the island in November 2006. Mr. Sujit will return to the island soon to meet with local government officials and complete the planning for the November clinics.

Thailand has 76 provinces. Phang Nga Province has eight districts.

During our November 2006 clinic we are also planning on doing a clinic on White Neck Island, which is near Takua Ba.

Our next clinics in Kuraburi and Long Island in the Phang Nga Province are scheduled for November 18th- 28th, 2006. We are planning to hold additional clinics in Phang Nga Province during March, August, and November, 2007.

Please consider whether you should join us for a clinic or financially contribute to these projects.

Thank you and May God be with you!

Chris and Vicky