Naw Mu Lar, a 24-year-old woman living in a village on the Thai-Myanmar border, faced a major health challenge during what should have been one of the most joyful times of her life. Her pregnancy, typically a period of hope and excitement, was overshadowed by the recurrence of malaria.
The main livelihood of her village is agriculture, and many villagers, including Naw Mu Lar and her husband, work on farms located deep in the forest, where malaria is common. Naw Mu Lar had been infected with the Plasmodium vivax (Pv) parasite, which had relapsed three times, leaving her fearful for her health and that of her unborn child. However, thanks to the timely intervention of a local malaria post, part of a broader network established under the Malaria Elimination Task Force (METF), she successfully recovered and regained hope.
The METF, initiated in 2014, was launched to tackle the alarming rise of drug-resistant malaria and eliminate malaria on the Thai-Myanmar border. With the support of the Global Fund’s RAI4E grant, Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU) has been operating the METF, a consortium involving Karen Community Based Organizations (KCBOs) which runs a network of over 600 community-based malaria posts staffed by trained health workers who have provided testing and treatment to thousands of people like Naw Mu Lar.
She was promptly diagnosed at the malaria post in her village, which covers 400-500 populations. Because of the complexity of her pregnancy, she was referred to the Maw Ka Thai Migrants Clinic in Tak Province, Thailand. The clinic, operated by the SMRU, is offering malaria treatment, tuberculosis services and antenatal care services to the migrant population along Thai-Myanmar border, which played a crucial role in her recovery.
After weeks of close monitoring and follow-up care, Naw Mu Lar’s health significantly improved. She felt stronger, and more importantly, she hadn’t experienced any relapses since her referral to the clinic. “It was a huge relief to finally feel like I could move on with my life and prepare for my baby’s arrival,” she said. Her recovery demonstrates the importance of accessible healthcare, particularly for pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions.
“I was so afraid when the malaria came back again and again, especially because I was carrying my baby,” Naw Mu Lar said. “But the malaria post and the clinic took care of me. I am so grateful for their support.”