Medical Trek and Social Outreach in Hill Tribe Communities

Medical volunteer abroad Thailand expedition healthcare

  • The Project

    Working at a community level, this project addresses the ongoing health needs of rural hill-tribe communities by providing free primary healthcare and social aid to villagers in need. Working in tandem with the head of the local village, the project’s aims are to provide regular and consistent access to primary medical care both for the greater community and in conjunction with the local school.

    While healthcare in the greater province is available it is hard to access, and limited monetary funds and language barriers between the hill-tribe people and the local district health department have proved difficult for many. Incentives to travel the 4 hour round trip to the local hospital are few, with many villagers working 7 day weeks. Not only is the community grappling with bad roads and a lack of public transportation, but the problems of originating from a hill-tribe have made getting treated and receiving ongoing medication an inherently difficult task and one not considered a feasible option by many.

    Working in tandem with the hill-tribe community, this project brings regular medical professionals to the village to conduct follow-up care and assessments, free of charge to the villagers. Through community medical assessments and with a strong partnership with the local school, the project is able to focus it’s attention on the long-term needs of the community. Whilst chronic back pain and arthritis are common and not easily treatable, urgent medical problems pose a large risk to the economic stability of many families. Multiple yearly trips will be conducted to help diagnose such problems and encourage follow-up care with the district hospital should this be needed. Follow-up trips from the project will check in with patients and be on hand to address new problems should they arise within the community. The project’s key aim is to provide consistent and reliable care to the communities and to create a positive and trusting atmosphere for the locals to receive primary healthcare.

  • Why the project needs you

    The project can only continue with the help of skilled medical professionals who are willing to dedicate a week of their time to participate in an expedition. The project already has a strong team to support the outreach; however, medical professionals are needed to carry out safe and appropriate care within the communities. Follow-up care will also include community education around safer farming practices and education with the parents of children at the local school.

    Project Location

    The project visits a number of rural areas around the city of Chiang Mai specifically within the hill tribes of northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is considered to be Thailand's second most important city and one of its largest. Despite this, it remains a tenth of the size of Bangkok, with an estimated 400,000 people living in the greater urban area of the city. Eighty percent of the local population is 'Khon Muang' (Northern folk) and they speak a slightly different dialect to the central Thai language.

    Chiang Mai, founded in 1296, is constructed as a square with a moat to mark its boundaries and safeguard the people within with a bastion at each corner. Today these landmarks remain to form the overwhelmingly unique character of the city.

    Agriculture, mainly fruit, vegetables and some rice cultivation, is the mainstay of the local economy. In the past 10 years, tourism has become an increasingly important economic growth point for the city. Other industries include cottage industry, handicraft production, exporting, small scale business and manufacturing.

  • Project Facts

    • Duration: 1 weeks
    • Cost: £965 ($1689) for 2 week, £160 ($280) each extra week
    • Requirements: age 18+, medical background
    • Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
    • Project activities: 7 day medical expedition working to provide: maternal healthcare, family planning, child and adult health care, care for the elderly and social work to rural communities
    • Project Availability: Expeditions take place every month. A minimum of 2 volunteers is required for the expedition to go ahead (maximum of 5 per group). Please send an email to info@kayavolunteer.com to enquire about dates

  • What is included

    •Accommodation: Shared room in a basic homestay within hill-tribe communities
    •Food: 3 meals a day
    •Airport pick up
    •Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
    • Pre-departure information pack
    •Training: On site orientation, language class and project briefing
    •Professional support through the trek: You will be travelling with a local licensed physician, a local licensed nurse, a translator and record keeper, a social worker, a local guide and a local community leader for the duration of your expedition.

  • What is not included

    • Flights
    • Insurance
    • Visas
    • Transfer from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
    • Airport drop off in Bangkok

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