A 5-Year Training Program for Remote Medical Providers

Earth Mission Asia is working in collaboration with the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) to provide highly-trained Physician Assistants (PA) in remote areas of Karen State, Myanmar.

Offering Education Opportunities

Lack of quality education in the villages means most Karen do not get higher education opportunities.

Developing a Health Network

More health practitioners means more options for people to have access to healthcare.

Implementing Public Health

Trained locals can help empower villages with better public health practices.

THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT TRAINING JOURNEY

Learn more about our training for a healthcare revolution in Karen State

Typical housing in remote Karen areas of Myanmar.

Typical housing in remote Karen areas of Myanmar

IN

Student Selection

Students are selected from remote Karen areas, in partnership with KDHW. Experience shows that students chosen from remote areas are likely to return to work and live in their home areas.

Location: Karen State, Myanmar

Year 1 PA students learning about Chemistry.

A group of Physician Assistant students learning science during their first year

YEAR 1

Foundation Course

English level improves to Intermediate/Advanced English (60%), basic and medical maths (from 25% to 85%), critical thinking, science and computers.

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

A Year 2 PA student taking a patient's medical history.

A Physician Assistant student taking a patient’s medical history

YEAR 2

Outpatient Care (OPD)

Average 9 hours of clinical experience per week per student, including patient history and physical exams, presenting patient cases, lab tests and disease knowledge.

Location: T-RAD Clinic in Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi), Myanmar

Two PA students making rounds in the IPD at the T-RAD Clinic.

Two Physician Assistant students making rounds in the IPD at the T-RAD Clinic

YEAR 3

Clinic Rotation and Inpatient Care (IPD)

Two rotating groups of students focus on patient treatment in different settings.

Location: T-RAD Clinic in Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi) and Rain Tree Clinic in Karen State, Myanmar

A Physician Assistant student doing lab test

A Physician Assistant student doing a lab test at the Rain Tree Clinic

YEAR 4

Remote Clinical Training

Responsible for patient cases, diagnosis and treatment under medic’s supervision. Average hours per week per student: 60 hours for IPD care; 45 hours for OPD care.

Location: Rain Tree Clinic in Karen State, Myanmar

A Physician Assistant student about to do a patient's ultrasound

A Physician Assistant student about to do a patient’s ultrasound

YEAR 5

Internship in KDHW Clinics

Specialty rotations in different clinics: X-Ray, laboratory, labor & delivery.

Location: Karen State, Myanmar

A group of Physician Assistant students posing for the camera.

A group of Physician Assistant students ready to serve people in remote areas!

OUT IN THE FIELD

Physician Assistant Graduates

The Physician Assistant graduates have to serve a minimum of five years in KDHW remote clinics.

Location: Karen State, Myanmar

December 2020, EMA graduated its first-ever Year 5 Physician Assistants.
HURRAY!!!

Huge shout out to Saw Sai Sai Poe, Saw Thit, Naw Lay Lay Poe, Saw Moo Kler Taw, Naw Bwae Htee Khu and Saw Hsa Khu Say Wah.

Because of YOUR support and trust in EMA’s Physician Assistant Training program, EMA was able to graduate its first-ever Physician Assistant (PA) students. What an exciting milestone!

We hope EMA’s graduates will share their healthcare expertise with a plethora of individuals via remote clinics in Karen State, Myanmar.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDENTS IN ACTION

Watch the Physician Assistant students transform into professional care-givers

YEAR 1 PA STUDENT
Spend a day learning English and math with Saw Bwe Ah
YEAR 2 PA STUDENT
Follow Saw Pa Chit and his classmates training at the T-RAD Clinic
YEAR 4 PA STUDENT
Watch Zu Zae Nar treat patients at the Rain Tree Clinic
YEAR 5 PA STUDENT
Learn more about Saw Thit’s PA journey

YOUR IMPACT

Thanks to YOUR support, the first Physician Assistant students will graduate in 2020

29

Physician Assistant students enrolled in 2019

10

Physician Assistant students recruited in 2020

5

Physician Assistant graduates by 2020

75

Physician Assistant graduates by 2029

“I know that I’m a better medic compared to when I started as a Year 1. I have more confidence seeing patients, and making decisions regarding a diagnosis and treatment. “

Saw Sai Sai Poe (PA student class of 2016)

” I hope to work together with my community to bring a big and positive change in healthcare in my area.”

Naw Victoria (PA student class of 2019)

“The only chance we have to succeed is to empower people from those remote areas who are passionate about helping their community. That vision is everything.”

Dr. Mitch Ryan (EMA Program Director)

“Our local leaders are trying very hard to help our community. Seeing them working day and night makes you want to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

Saw Bwe Ah (PA student class of 2019)

GET INVOLVED

Support the Karen in their mission for better health!

Alt Text

Support the PA students and see the ripple effect happen over a whole community

Alt Text

Work hand-in-hand with the PA students and find out how much you can learn together

Alt Text

Connect with the Karen on social media and spread the word to your loved ones