In Late 2004, the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation proposed plans for the construction of a new Health Care Center in the village of Maknao where it acquired land for that purpose in July 2004. The land, conveniently located on the bank of the river in the center of the village was donated to the foundation by four local families. It is located adjacent to the village’s major temple and away from traffic (motorbikes, agricultural equipment and buffalos) of the main dirt road.
The Existing Medical Facility to be Replaced
Maknao Village is located on a dirt road on the bank of the Mekong River 15km South of Simmano Village and 13km North of Ban Don Village. Road 13 is accessible from Maknao by a dirt road at a distance of 7km. The new Health Care Center will be placed under the administrative jurisdiction of the Pargeum District Hospital located at 25km from there. Access to surrounding medical facilities is difficult, particularly during monsoon season. The primary source of income among villagers comes from rice farming. The average income per capita was estimated at less than $20.00 per year in July 2004.
Untill the construction of the new Health Care Center, there was only
one old and inadequate dispensary staffed by one state-appointed nurse,
leaving villagers to generally rely on traditional medicine for health
care.
According to a recent study conducted in Paxe and Paksong Districts, 77%
of the population is relying entirely on traditional medicine (87% medicinal
plants, 8% sauna, 3.5% massage, 2.8% acupuncture, 16% other methods including
shamanism).
The population of Maknao and surrounding areas is as follow:
Central (Maknao North, South, Fields, Machiong and the six closest neighboring
villages) approximately 6,000 people. In addition, it is expected that
neighboring villages of Don Kalum and Vangpho with a population of approximately
4,000 people will also use the new medical facility. Thus, the new Health
Care Center will serve a population of nearly 10,000 people.
General statistics for the area (2004)
Roofs ---Families ----
Population ---- Women
---- Children 0-5
1953 ---- 2028 ----
---10,110 ----
---- -5148 ----
-- 954
The Ministry of Health for the Province of Vientiane has agreed to provide
a staff of 3 nurses, an intern medical doctor, a visiting dentist and
a local herbalist and healer to run the new facility.
Archictect's rendering
The new facility will provide room and equipment for general family practice,
small emergencies, vaccinations, gynecology, pre and post natal care,
dentistry and health education. In agreement with the Department of Health
and under its supervision, it will be the first medical facility in Lao
PDR to include traditional medicine in a Health Care Center.
Memorandum of Understanding regarding the construction of the Maknao Health Carer Center was signed by Dr. Inlavanh, Director of Vientiane Public Health and Dr. Luc Janssens in January 2005.
