A Thai NGO handed over a HIV/AIDS Care Center to Mon Villagers

Loa Htaw, Independent Mon News Agency


May 24, 2005

 

Patanarak Foundation, a local Thai NGOs for community development and HIV/AIDS protection hold a cerebration of handing-over of HIV/AIDS Care Center to Mon medical workers and villagers  to take care the people living with HIV in Paling-Japan village, in Three Pagoda Pass area of Thai-Burma border.

 

Patanarak Foundation, is a Thai NGOs which is especially working for community development program for the Mon, Karen and Thai people base in Sangkhaburi, a small border and assisted the displaced Mon communities along Thai-Burma border with health education and community projects.  

 

The ceremony was celebrated on May 20 and about 50 people including representatives from Patanarak Foundation, Medical workers from Paliang Japan Hospital, Buddhist monks and villagers attended in the occasion.

 

The Care Center, which was constructed in the first week of January this year have the space of 20 meters by 3 meters and comprises of five rooms and it was built at a cost of 103, 833. 00 Baht, explained Mi Htaw Lyi Ong, the Administrator of Palaing Japan Hospital, at the opening celebration.

 

The residence is intended for HIV patients who have no family or no available accommodation. It will provide food and medical care and their stay is free of charge, Ms. Htaw said.

 

“Starting from today,” announced Mr Seri Thongmak Executive Director of Patanarak Foundation, “we are entrusting this hospital to the medical workers to operate as they see fit, but also with the assurance that they can call on Patanarak for help.  Though we are unable to provide ARV medication, we can assist with food,” he added.

 

Ms Htaw further explained, “We will test for patients’ suitability with regard to ARVs, which, if required, must be taken continuously. For the supply of this medication, we will apply to MSF (Medicine Sans Frontiers).”

 

Deputy Administrator of hospital, Mi Cheam Mon, expressed her and the medical workers’ gratitude for opportunity to use the facility and the center.

 

At the ceremony, Mr Seri signed a certificate of handing over and maintenance of the center to Administrator Mi Htaw Lyi Ong, the Chairman of village, Mr Nai Mai Poeng and the signing was witnessed by Abbot Mahae, District chairman Nai Mon Oung, and the villagers’ representative Nai Mya.

 

Palaing Japan, literally ‘Japanese well’ is a Mon village established with the displaced Mon villagers after NMSP/SPDC 1995 ceasefire and it is close to the old Japanese built death railway during WWII.   It has over 2000 population. 

 

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