Sriboh-ya
Island in Krabi province is one of the six coastal provinces
of Thailand, which was affected by the 26 December 2004 tsunami.
For the first time, it has a first aid and health care service
run by its Red Cross volunteers.
The basic health care service here is part of the first aid
and health care programme for volunteers. The project, worth
about 8 million baht (CHF 257,400/US$ 206,000/ Euro 164,250),
is funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, and covers both training and the provision
of basic medication for all six coastal tsunami-affected provinces
in the south of Thailand – Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket,
Trang and Satun provinces.
Compared to other coastal areas in the Andaman Sea, Sriboh-ya
Island was not severely affected by the tsunami – there
was no loss of life – but it is a remote and poverty-stricken
island with no electricity, and most local people here are socially
underprivileged.
As part of the Thailand Tsunami Recovery Programme supported
by the International Federation, five men and 35 women attended
a first aid and health care workshop for volunteers. The volunteers
come from Sriboh-ya, Cham and Lanta Islands and many are housewives
who volunteer for the islands’ health service.
Joining the workshop, were about five to eight trainers from
each chapter. These trainers were selected and trained by the
Thai Red Cross Society’s nursing college. Their training
includes psychosocial support, first aid and health care promotion.
“At Sriboh-ya Island, the first aid service is very helpful
not only for us as volunteers, but also for local people, especially
the elderly,” says Maesim Tawan, a housewife who is eager
to join the basic health care service as a first aid and health
care volunteer.
“It would be good to have a workshop every two months.
Now we want to be trained for disaster preparedness because
of the wind and storms during the rainy season,” says
Maesim.
“The most common problems found among the elderly here
are diabetes, low blood pressure and heart attack. Now, with
newly trained volunteers, the elderly receive regular weekly
visits,” she says.
Suwimon Krichlathin, Head of Sriboh-ya health service station,
finds the volunteers’ first aid service a great addition
to the existing health care service, there is only one health
station on the island.
“When there is a patient who is beyond our treatment capacity,
we have to transfer him/her to a hospital on the mainland. It
takes us 15 minutes to transport a patient by boat to the main
island to see a doctor,” says Suwimon.
Each day at Sribo-ha Island’s health care office, villagers
come for vaccinations or bring their children for a health check-up.
Unfortunately, the health care office cannot offer a child birth
service because of a lack of electricity. The villagers here
only use an oil lamp or electricity generator at night, but
since last June, a solar cell generator was installed to enable
the villagers and school children to use electricity during
the daytime too.
These volunteers only receive monthly expenses of 300 baht to
pay for fuel when using a motorcycle to visit families. Yet
despite no allowance, these villagers are happy to have the
chance to help other less privileged villagers.
Take for example, 35-year-old Prinya Songsaeng, who has become
an active Red Cross volunteer because she is free after finishing
daily household chores.
“I am pleased with the training offered to us. I’m
glad I can help look after other villagers who need medical
care. The villagers are also happy having us visit them regularly.”
For 43-year-old Maesia who also owns a rubber plantation: “There
are more responsibilities, but I feel proud working as a first
aid volunteer. I’m happy to become a Red Cross volunteer.”
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The
elderly are happy to receive a visit from Red Cross volunteers.
“I am pleased with the training offered to us. I’m
glad I can help look after other villagers who need medical
care. The villagers are also happy having us visit them
regularly.” says 35-year-old Prinya Songsaeng, who
has become an active Red Cross volunteer. (p14226)
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First
aid volunteers from Sriboh-ya, Cham and Lanta Islands
often take a motorcycle to visit beneficiaries. (p14227)
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As
part of the Thailand Tsunami Recovery Programme supported
by the International Federation, five men and 35 women
attended a first aid and health care workshop for volunteers.
The volunteers come from Sriboh-ya, Cham and Lanta Islands
and many are housewives who volunteer for the islands’
health service. (p14229)
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