
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
Celebrating Progress at the Asian Pacific Cleft Congress
This month, Khon Kaen University in Northern Thailand hosted the prestigious Asia Pacific Cleft Congress. The conference was led by friend and partner of Transforming Faces, Dr. Bowornsilp Chowchuen, and attendees included many of TF’s partners in the region.
Thai Surgeons visit SickKids Hospital in Toronto
Two of our wonderful Thai partners visits SickKids Hospital in Toronto for surgical training.
Transforming Lives in Myanmar: Meet Pwint
7-year-old Pwint was born with a cleft in Myanmar. This is her story.