Karen National Union
Supreme Headquarters
Kawthoolei

Definition of KDHW (Health + Welfare)

Health is both physical and mental to be saving with all diseases and wellbeing status.
Welfare is supporting emergency needs for community and develop community status.

KDHW Background

Health for all, for the Karen by the Karen is the mission of KDHW. The Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) was established in 1956 and has looked after the health of the Karen people. The organisation was established to address the complete lack of healthcare resources in Karen State, the result of years of military aggression. For several decades, the successive Burmese governments have deprived ethnic minorities of basic health and human services. The situation in Karen State worsened following the infamous four cuts policy that was implemented in 1974.

Today, KDHW is responsible for the physical and mental health of people living in Karen State. The main aim of KDHW is to provide healthcare to everyone through community-based healthcare.

Goal

All people in Kaw Thoo Lei can get healthy life in one day.

Mission Statement

To provide healthcare to everyone through community based primary healthcare and at the same time, to implement secondary healthcare and welfare programmes, especially in the areas of mother and child, the elderly and the disabled.

Objectives

  1. Provide essential drugs and medical supplies
  2. Treat local common disease and minor injuries
  3. Decrease morbidity and mortality due to common disease
  4. Deliver health information and education to the people
  5. Promote community responsibility and participation in healthcare
    6. Promote community participation in the management of emergency health situations
  7. Develop community awareness regarding health

Activities

  1. Reproductive child health program
  2. Karen child health program
  3. Family planning
  4. Gender base violence
  5. Inoculate
    6. Nutrition program
  7. Trauma emergency management
  8. Married education
  9. Mental health program
  10. Malaria control program
  11. Malaria elimination
  12. Wash program (water sanitation)
  13. Community health worker training
  14. Medic training
  15. MCH (Maintained and Child Health) training
  16. (CHS2) Certificate of Public Health
  17. EMOC (Emergency Management of Obstetric Care)
  18. VHW (Village Health Worker)
  19. Train traditional birth attendant
  20. Physical Assistant training