The MRCS Community Based Health Project in Magway Division addresses the health needs of remote and vulnerable community members of Natmauk and Pwint Phyu Township through the implementation of broad based health activities. Initiated in December 2006 with support from the Finnish Red Cross through the Federation, the project was implemented initially via community based first aid activities and has since progressed to address community identified health concerns such as malaria, snake bites, water and sanitation related health issues.
The project aims to improve local community health status and thereby improve general quality of life.

Components and Activities

Specific Objective
- Increased capacity of vulnerable communities resulting in behavior change to prevent and reduce impact of priority health issues such as malaria, diarrhoeal disease, poisonous snake bite, acute respiratory infections, skin infections, tuberculosis, HIV including water and sanitation practices.

- Increased capacity and self reliance of selected Magway Division Red Cross Branches to effectively support a participatory response to locally identified health needs of vulnerable communities.

Activities
- Awareness raising and health promotion on Malaria, Diarrhoeal Disease, poisonous snake bite, acute respiratory infections, skin infections, Tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
- Facilitate and support water and sanitation activities, well drilling, water tank and sanitary latrine construction.
- Patient referral to local health services
- Supply of supportive materials such as basic first aid equipment, bed nets, condoms.
- Capacity building of local communities to address their priority health issues.

Target beneficiaries
General Community

Timeline
2006 Dec – 2010 Dec

Target Areas (location)
Over three year period support to improve health conditions in 15 villages of Pwint Phyu Township, 14 villages and one ward of Natmuak Township

Partners
Funding – Finnish Red Cross through IFRC
Collaborative – Department of Health and Population Services International (PSI)

Trained RCVs
600 RCVs