PIONEERING PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
ROYAL ENDEAVUORS IN MEDICAL CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Thailand started to pursue development according to National Economic and Social Development Plans as far back as 40 years ago, For many years most people in remote rural areas remained illiterate, and medical care and public health were critically lacking.
Toward the end of 1967 the Princess Mother first sent teams of physicians -- her own and those from the Police Department, to give occasional medical care to villagers. She also provided supplies of basic medications, along with instructions, to the Border Patrol Police so that they could both use it themselves and share it with the people.
An experiment with a mobile medical unit followed in 1969. Evaluation of the operation resulted in the incorporation of the first Princess Mother's Medical Volunteer (P.M.V.) unit at Chiang Mai Province in March of that year.
The P.M.V. units operate during holidays, and are comprised of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, public health workers and volunteer social workers. Their visits provide medical services, such as diagnosis and prophylaxis treatment, dentistry, together with food and clothing distribution.
The scope of operation for the health and medical services extended by the P.M.V. units specifically targets villages that are truly remote and isolated, in or near border areas inaccessible to other mobile medical units. As access was usually by helicopters, in 1973 Her Royal Highness expanded the P.M.V. project to include radio communication equipment in order that medical consultations could be readily provided.
Since their inception, the volunteer medical care activities have grown steadily. In 1974 administrative reorganisation resulted in the establishment of the Princess Mother's Medical Volunteer Foundation, subsidised annually by the government.
The Princess Mother was very interested and much involved in the Foundation's fieldwork. She visited field operations and gave advice on problems as they arose.
The P.M.V. units alleviate the people's suffering and provide relief from common diseases. Serious cases from the villages are sent to provincial hospitals as patients under the sponsorship of Her Royal Highness. Most of them regain their health and are able to return home to pursue their livelihoods.
Besides providing extension services in the country's health care in remote areas, the P.M.V. is also active in the dissemination of the primary health care, health education, immunisation, and treatment of indigenous diseases.
Around the middle of the 1980s, the Royal Thai Government started to implement a policy giving priority to rural development. More medical and health care reached target areas. The operation of P.M.V. was again adjusted to accommodate the changes, with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation with the support of communication equipment and road-mobile P.M.V. units.
The Foundation also participates in the evaluation and development work for Basic Minimum Needs in the public health, in accordance with the national rural development plan.
Since 1986 the Princess Mother's Medical Volunteer Foundation expanded services to include treatment of special health conditions, especially those with disabilities.. Handicapped patients need to be enabled to help themselves to live as normally as they can. The following are the six conditions identified by the Foundation.
- Cataracts.
- Eardrum perforation and tympanoplasty.
- Cleft lip and cleft palate.
- Prosthesis fitting so the person can work for a living.
- Rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease.
- Impacted teeth.
In spite of the Foundation's efforts, there are more sick people suffering from severe and chronic disease, and accidents. The ravages of injury and disease, such as polio and leprosy, may lead to a handicapped condition which results in the individual becoming a victim of discrimination. This culminates in a social problem.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother offered assistance through various charitable organisations and foundations. She was concerned that these people should receive proper treatment, prevention service, self-care advice, artificial limbs, education, security, occupations and encouragement so that they could continue to lead happy lives and be full participants in society.
Her Royal Highness also offered assistance to women with breast cancer, through the Breast Foundation under her patronage.
The Princess Mother's work in medical care and public health for the Thai people are well recognised both within and outside the country. She was the first recipient of the World Health Organization's 'Health For All' gold meal that was presented on December 17, 1990, by Doctor Hiroshi Nakajima to Her Royal Highness at Srapatum Palace.
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Kromluang Naradhivas Rajanagarindra carries on the public health work that the Princess Mother initiated for the benefit and happiness of the Thai people.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION
The Doi Tung Development Project
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