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A Burmese Physician, who currently lives in Hawaii, has researched extensive studies showing that the people of Myanmar suffer from hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse and poor diets, among other health related problems. The people do not receive adequate health services to treat their health issues, or to prevent issues from becoming serious. This project is for a team of about 10 people who are Rotarians, non-Rotarian Doctors, including the Burmese physician mentioned above, and other interested people, to go to 2 areas of the Rahkine State in Western Myanmar (the area that was devastated by a cyclone several years ago). The team will hold health care clinics where blood pressures and diabetes screenings will be conducted, and will have health fair displays related to prevention and education about many subjects including water borne and mosquito borne diseases and sanitation issues, drug and alcohol abuse and awareness, and smoking and its effects on lungs. The estimated numbers of Burmese people who will be evaluated at the health clinics are about 500. It is possible that thousands more will attend the health fairs as they will be held in school buildings (as schools will be on holiday), and will be publicized using loud speaker announcements from vehicles and buildings. The clinics and fairs will take place in Sittwe and Mrauk Oo and at least one neighboring village. The work will take place on December 31, 2013, through January 3, 2014.
The project funds will be used to purchase medicines primarily for treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, and to purchase medical screening tests such as blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors and test strips, urine test strips and specimen cups, and other equipment for the fairs such as weight scales, measuring tapes, and printed educational displays.
One Club member will be part of the team. She will provide a report back to the Club about the project so that others may become involved.
Ultimately, this project will promote world understanding and goodwill, and advance the cause of peace in our world, and it will enhance the image of Rotary in a country that has not had a Rotary presence for generations.
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