Thailand & Laos

Fast Facts

 COUNTRY PROFILE

• Population: 69.9 million
• Partner: Northern Women’s Development Foundation (NWDF)
• Based in: Chiang Rai
• Partner since: 2001

PROGRAM FOCUS

• Ensuring children & families in northern Thailand and Laos receive comprehensive support
• Collaborating with network of over 39 partner hospitals & universities
• Services include surgery, nutritional support, speech therapy, dental and orthodontic care, ear nose and throat (ENT) support, psychosocial support for children & families, and transportation and translation services for patients travelling from neighbouring Myanmar or Laos

RECENT SUCCESSES

• In 2020, 91 families in Thailand/Laos received care in partnership with NWDF
• NWDF partners helped develop an innovative technique called nasoform, used to help reshape a patient’s nose after surgery
• Building local support for their innovative cleft care programs through strong fundraising and awareness campaigns

KEY CHALLENGES

• Shortages of cleft professionals: Shortage of qualified cleft care professionals, particularly surgeons and speech therapists in the northern region of Thailand
• Long travel distances: Many families have to travel for three to four days from bordering countries to reach care for their children

 WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE SAYING

• “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation for the kind concern and devotion to promote the quality of life of these disadvantaged groups of society. I have enjoyed my long partnership with TF!” – Phanomwan Yoodee, Thailand (NWDF) 

Program Updates

OUR OTHER PARTNERSHIPS:
Argentina | Chile | Costa Rica | Ethiopia | India | Myanmar | Peru | Uganda