Health Initiative | Read "Pagoda Monster"
While HT's efforts have been focused on our long-term strategy for lifting the community out of poverty, we have been exposed to many of the symptoms of poverty that have grown into serious problems for many families.
Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact.
In the communities of Balang, Scabies is a problem which compounds with no treatment, and over time can lead to secondary infections causing scarring for life. HT was first introduced to this problem through the orphans and students in the local Pagoda, who had contracted it simply from sharing clothes and bedding. Children are especiall susceptible to the disease, and if they do not receive treatment, it can become a seriously frustrating and painful long-term problem.
HT, with help from the Angkor Hospital for Children, began a campaign to wipe out scabies from the local community and train local medical staff to deal with outbreaks. We have supplied anti-scabies medication, clothing, and antibiotics to combat the infection and infestation, and continue to fight the disease village by village. We anticipate that around 3,000 members of the local community have come in contact with the parasite.
Within 8 to 12 months we hope to eradicate the infestation once and for all, and empower the community to deal with the problem indefinitely.
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Return to Projects | Read "Pagoda Monster"
Please contact HT@HumanTranslation.org with any questions about this project.