Health on wheels: a mobile clinic promoting healthy behaviours in Laos
A mobile health clinic in Laos was sent out on March 17th 2016 in the hope of improving the health conditions of women and children. This project targeted women of reproductive age and children in World Vision’s target villages of Ngoi Area Development Project. World Vision Laos, in partnership with district health officials, operated a mobile clinic that provided immunization, vitamin A supplements, family planning education, breastfeeding and good hygiene campaigns in 27 target villages.
100 people were reached, including women, children under 5 years (CU5), and pregnant women. They received vaccines that prevent measles, polio, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and more than 70 children received vitamin A drops. Following information sessions and awareness raising, more than 100 villagers were reported to have a better understanding of child care, proper hygiene and breast feeding benefits.
Mr. Somephone, a village chief, said that misconceptions about immunizations push people away. There is a fear among parents that their children will get sick from the vaccine. He spoke about the importance of advanced information sharing and education for parents on the benefits of vaccines.
“The support in the implementation of this national policy is helping health mobile teams access women and children in rural villages as well as support the MDG. It also supports mother and child health care and the goal of becoming a measles-free country by 2015,” says Dr. Chanhthy Keomanyvong, director of Ngoi district hospital and the mobile vaccination and health checkup team leader.
Dr. Channthy also says that the Lao government is giving attention and investing in women and children health to make sure that women of reproductive age and children are healthier.
Jak, 22-years-old, brought her 5-year-old daughter to receive health checkups, by the health mobile team in her village. “Both my children have the necessary immunizations. If it wasn’t for the health mobile clinic, they would probably be sick,” she says. Her village is a 40 kilometers rocky journey away from the district health center, making it difficult for her to access with small children.
Jak and her husband responded positively to the mobile clinic because they received information beforehand that put their worries at ease. Her 8-year-old son Somevang, had to gather all his courage for the shots. “I was scared at first, but it turns out I didn’t feel pain. I was distracted by the health staff who were talking to me and asking me questions,” he shares.
According to the 2007 United Nations report, more than 1,700 measles cases were recorded in Laos with about 3 percent of cases resulting in death. However, the number of measles incidences has decreased more than 90 percent since the vaccination drive was implemented.
“I learned that breast feeding can improve my baby’s immune system and prevent infant diarrhea,” Jak says.
She asserted the importance of health care information, services and awareness raising. “I had difficulty delivering my son because I didn’t have a doctor present, have prenatal care or transportation to health centers,” she recounts of her experiences.
Today, Jak’s community is regularly visited by the mobile health clinic operated by World Vision Laos and the district health office. Health and sanitation in villages across Ngoi Area Development Project is drastically improving thanks to these mobile clinics that offer services and information, all while raising awareness.