Access to traditional healthcare for the poor Photo Gallery
|
|
The treatment center
Lao Traditional Medicine (Ya Sa Moun Pai Lao) has a long history and the confidence of many Laotians. The RTC is the best center in Laos and has a steady influx of patients seeking treatment - usually around 100 a day pass through this building.
|
Patient accommodation
This long hut, rustic and open to the elements, is the only place for patients to stay and cannot meet the high demands for service. Some patients must stay at the RTC for months at a time. The roof is leaking and there is no insulation. It can reach 45 degrees (celsius) in the height of the hot season.
|
The rooms
The accommodation is made up of 4 rooms, each with 2 beds. There are only a few matresses between everyone, old mosquito nets and threadbare blankets. Fang suffers from severe reumatism due to a lack of vitamins after giving birth. She comes from Luang nam tha in the far north.
Your donations will help build additional rooms for RTC patients.
|
The kitchen
Each patient is given a specific and strict diet to follow based on their illness. They then buy their own food (or in some cases, someone will have to buy it for them) at the local market. Everyone cooks in the shared kitchen.
|
The pump house
A new water filter system is one of the most urgent requirements at the RTC. This is the pump house and well. While water is abundant it is not pure and remains untreated for use.
|
Herb stocks
The RTC relies on the daily sale of herbs to function and treat more serious patients. The Master sees 100 patients each day on average, with varying illnesses. Patients usually pay around 50 cents a bag for herbs.
|
Hope for Grandpa
Patients come from all over Laos to the RTC. Grandpa Thong is 65 and has been unable to speak due to thyroid problems. He has travelled from Xiangkhoang more than 12 hours away and has been at the RTC for three weeks.
|
Treatment for the elderly
Grandma Thong has also come with serious injuries. She has type 2 diabetes and may lose her left foot. With the correct traditional treatment she has a high chance of saving it and keeping her illness in check.
|
The master
Master Kampeun is known all over Laos as the best traditional healer in the country. He combines traditional knowledge with a scientific approach and educates patients on all matters of health. Remarkably, he is 78!
|
Health check
Master Kampeun is devoted to his patients. He checks on them three times a day and treats them with herbs, diet instructions, physical therapy and herbal sauna. The patient seen here, Due, comes from Savanahket and suffers from Hepatitis A.
|
|
|
giving cart
create an account
login
my profile
logout
