While the C-FREE project of hepatitis C treatment among high-risk communities is mainly implemented in partnership with civil society organizations, we are proud and pleased to also implement C-FREE in partnership with 2 government health centers of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the BMA Public Health Center 28, and BMA New Step Clinic.
Public Health Center 28, Krung Thonburi, Bangkok, is a community health service center affiliated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and is responsible for providing medical and public health services at the primary level, and is a partner organization jointly carrying out the C-FREE-CSEA study project.
This C-FREE center has 2 full-time staff, Nee Pudpong, a Research Nurse, and Sahassawas Yimsud, a Research Assistant.
"This C-FREE-CSEA Community Health Center has a wide variety of service recipients and a large number of them, including people infected with HIV and MSM (men who have sex with men). In addition to Thais, more than half of them are migrant workers from neighboring countries, both registered and unregistered, who come to receive services. They have only to state their name to receive services."
"Most patients, especially migrant workers, do not have the right to receive any health services, so they feel happy to join and receive treatment with our project, so they fully cooperate." Nee Pudpong said.
New Step Clinic Ladprao, an agency under the Office of Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), is another partner organization. There are 2 full-time staff, Sirinthip Piyarat, a Research Nurse, and Natthaya Tanthip, a Research Assistant who provides services in the C-FREE-CSEA project.
“Currently, we have approximately 150-160 participants, most of whom are MSM (men who have sex with men) who use drugs, as well as some foreign workers. We work with the New Step Clinic Ladprao and the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand. We receive a list of those who qualify for the project, then contact and arrange a queue for the participants to come in for screening services in order.
At the New Step Clinic Ladprao, all staff are attentive and provide excellent assistance in coordinating with the participants. In addition, the doctors are kind and treat the participants from Monday to Thursday mornings. The clinic is open for health check-ups, medication, and consultations every Wednesday,” said Sirinthip Piyarat.
“Our project does not discriminate, regardless of race or gender. We focus on providing quality services and equitable access to treatment. Our program participants who are substance users can receive the same treatment as any other program participant. We understand that many have complex life factors that push them into the cycle of substance use, so if we can help them access and receive the same treatment, we will play a part in reducing the problems they face,” added Natthaya Tanthip.
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