Health staff from the Karenni Civil Health and Development Network (CHDN) will step up their public health services in the rural areas, where many health staff has joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), said Khun Philip, Director of the CHDN.

 

He added “The people want health services and many doctors have joined the CDM. So we have to provide extra staff and respond to people asking for help,” he continued. The CHDN is unable to open the clinics in the urban areas because our main focus is in providing public health services mainly in the rural area.”

Civil Health Development Network (CHDN) is a local NGO based in Karenni State.

Their experienced medical staff has trained and empowered CHWs and AMWs to carry out advanced medical outreach in remote villages. In addition, they have a pool of “backpackers” to carry medicines to remote areas and provide basic health care.

 

It was established in August 2012 by the health sector of the six political groups that signed ceasefires in Karenni State. Prior to the formation of CHDN, each political group had already been implementing health activities in hard-to-reach villages by mobilizing community health workers (CHWs) and auxiliary midwives (AMWs).

The six political parties that formed CHDN are the KNPP (KnMHC) - Karenni National Progressive Party, The KNPLF – Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front, the KNLP - Kayan New Land Party, the KNSO - Karenni National Solidarity Organization, the KNPDP - Karenni National Peace and Development Party and the KNG - Kayan National Guard.

More than 500 health staff from the CHDN are providing healthcare services through 24 clinics and a door-to-door system in seven townships in Kayah State, two townships in Shan State and one township in Kayin State.

Even though each political group has been conducting mobile clinics, there are still many villages that lack access to basic health care in Karenni State.