Program Area

Community Health Development Programme (Mandalay & Sagaing Division)

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and the Danish Red Cross (DRC) have been in a bilateral partnership since 2004, when the formulation of a community-based health project started. This involved outlining a framework of collaboration between the two national societies, consultation with various stakeholders, examination of MRCS’s comparative advantages as well as a review of possible project scenarios and selection of geographic areas for the project.

In 2005, the implementation of the DRC supported community based health project commenced in three townships of Mandalay Division. The project has focused broadly on improving the health and quality of life of residents of mining areas, which are characterized by a presence of many seasonal/migrant workers as well as other vulnerable groups including sex workers and injecting drug users. In 2008, the project phased out from Thabeikkyin township and extended to another four townships; Tharzi, Nyaung U, Sagaing and Shwe Bo.

Components and Activities

Development Objectives
To reduce the vulnerability of local communities to priority health problems, particularly malaria, TB and HIV.

Immediate Objectives-1
To promote behavioral change among local communities and promote a caring and supportive environment for people infected and affected by malaria, TB and HIV and other community health concerns.

Immediate Objectives-2
To strengthen MRCS’ overall capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to HIV and other prevalent health problems.

Target Beneficiaries
1) Key populations of higher risk, including sex workers, men who have sex with men and mine/factory workers
2)PLHIV and their relative
3) Vulnerable local community members

Implementing Activities

1.       Review and Reprinting of Existing IEC related to HIV prevention, anti stigma and discrimination, TB, Malaria.
2.       Development and production of new IEC HIV prevention, anti stigma and discrimination.
3.       Distribution of IEC to target groups (Mine/Factory workers, MSM, SW, Migrant/mobile population).
4.       Health Education to target groups (Mine/Factory workers, MSM, SW, Migrant/mobile population).
5.       Condom distribution to target groups (Mine/Factory workers, MSM, SW, Migrant/mobile population).
6.       Pre test counseling before getting HIV and referral to health departments.
7.       Support of testing cost for HIV, TB and Malaria.
8.       Post test counseling.
9.       Providing home based care to PLHIV (incl. distribution of HBC kits).
10.   Provision of OI treatment cost, STI treatment cost, Hospitalized cost to PLHIV (incl. support for travel cost).
11.   Facilitation to local PLHIV gathering meeting and formation of local PLHIV Self help group.
12.   Experience exchange visit of PLHIV.
13.   Health Education session to general community.
14.   Provision of treatment cost for Malaria, TB (incl. travel cost).
15.   Provision of DOTS home visit.
16.   Provision of Community Health Fund to response prior health issues by local community.
17.   CBFA multiplier training.
18.   Advocacy meetings with local authorities, workplace managers, health service providers, community members    etc.

Target Beneficiaries
1)      Key populations of higher risk, including sex workers, men who have sex with men and mine/factory workers
2)      PLHIV and their relatives
3)      Vulnerable local community members

Project Timeframe
2008 January to 2011 April

Project sites
1) Mandaly Division

a. Mogoke townhip

b. Singu township

c. Tharzi twonship

d. Nyung U township

2) Sagaing Division

a. Sagaing township

b. Shwebo township

Partner agency
Danish Red Cross and Danish Government