OVERVIEW

After Tsunami Tidal wave had swept Southern Part of Thailand, on March 22nd, 2005 PDG D.5160 year 1988-1989 Dr. Werner Schwarz had consulted Past RI President Pichai Rattakul about the intention of PP. Captain Henry W. Simonson from Rotary Club of Rio Vista California, D.5160 to donate big amount of money U$100,000 to Rotary Foundation for Matching Grant project to build Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical Unit in a big container which inside will divide into several small rooms consist of treatment room, surgical room, nursing room, toilet with complete medical machine and instruments together with electrical generator and air condition system. To be bind with Tractor Puller, the container will be transported to help Tsunami’s Ophthalmologic problem victims in the Tsunami affected areas in southern part of Thailand. Also, this project initially had been supported by Professor Stewart Seiff, MD, The Vision Foundation, U.S.A. and Dr. John Whitcher, MD, Department of Ophthalmoloy of University of California San Francisco International Vision Program.

Thailand Rotary Center, by Ms. Danucha Bhumithaworn, Director, had contacted Rotary Club of Tongkah whose members consisted of several physicians to be the Host Partner for this project. After which Rotary Club of Tongkah had assigned working team consisted of PP.Chaisak Koaysomboon, P.Dr. Sanguan Kunaporn, P.Charin Thumrongkiatikul , PP.Dr.Toranit Tantipiriyakit and PDG.Prasert Fakthongphol. The team had discussed the maximum use of this Mobile Ophthalmology and Surgical Unit and had decided to extend the services to remote areas all over Thailand by handing the unit to the Thai Red Cross Society. This unit will be presented to HRH Princess Maha Chaki Sirindhorn (Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society), and to be managed by Lt.Gen.Dr.Amnat Barlee, MD., Director, Relief and Community Health Bureau and Dr. Uraiwan Tinnangwattana, MD., Head of Ophthaolmology Unit from The Thai Red Cross Society.

Since this Matching Grant Project is Competitive Major Matching Grant, PDG.Dr. Satish Sule and his Ann, as a representative from the Rotary Foundation had visit Thailand to assess the project in Phuket, Bangkok and Prachin Buri during 16-18 September, 2005. They have attended Rotary Club of Tongkah’s weekly meeting, visited Tsunami affected areas in Khao Lak and observed the working of Ophthalmologic Surgical Unit at The Red Cross Office in Arunya Prathet, Prachin Buri province. After received his project assessment report, TRF’s Board of Trustee had approved this Competitive Matching Grant during their October meeting with the amount of grant supported as followed:

In the process of purchasing Tractor Puller in Thailand, Rotary Club of Tongkah had been approved the money amounted 2,500,000 Baht from Past RI President Bhichai Rattakul and his committee. This is the biggest valued project being received by District3330 and the rest of Thailand, have been proud by Rotarians, both clubs. And this Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical Unit will be the first complete mobile clinic in Thailand ready to serve people in all areas or far distance remote areas

L to R: Seated – Club President Ted Schulz, Clinic Project Director/Major Donor Henry (Hank) Simonsen, Club Secretary and Clinic Project Engineer Jim Larsen; Standing – Rotary International Coordinator Dr. Werner Schwarz, Clinic Medical Advisor Dr. Stuart Seiff, and Club President Elect Marta Dron.

L to R: Seated – Rotary International Coordinator Dr. Werner Schwarz, Clinic Project Director/Major Donor Henry (Hank) Simonsen, and Clinic Medical Advisor Dr. Stuart Seiff; standing - Club Secretary and Clinic Project Engineer Jim Larsen.

PROJECT COMMITTEE

n Thailand.

US TEAM

THAILAND TEAM

(DRAFT) PROMOTIONAL PLAN

At present time, they are in the process of building Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical Unit container and installation of necessary medical instrument and equipments in USA and are scheduled to finish in August- September,2006. Both Rotary Clubs have planned schedule including advertise this project as follow:

Planned Schedules in USA (prepared by Rotary Club of Rio Vista, D.5160)

• About 6 weeks before the delivery of the Clinic to California, local publicity should be generated and distributed in house through the Rotary Director’s and Governor’s Newsletters, club bulletins websites, local press TV and radio by producing a series of illustrated public relation press release to the local San Francisco Bay Area medias.
• Signage on the Clinic in English and Thai languages to spell out the sponsorship, possibly including the Thai Red Cross Society, the Royal connection and their appropriate symbol. Pre-approval of the signage, wording and Rotary emblem by Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation, The Rotary Club of Rio Vista and D5160.
• Transportation of the Clinic throughout D5160 and displays at possible District Conference and Assemblies depending on scheduling.
• Local Rio Vista pre arrival publicity with illustrated press release in the local press like the Rio Vista Beacon, Rio Vista Harold, Fairfield Republican news paper.
• Preceding the Clinic’s arrival in Rio Vista, public relations and Public Service Announcements in the greater Sacramento area like the Sacramento Bee Newspaper, TV channels 3 and 13, local AM and FM radio stations as well as local and Rotary websites should be planned.
• Delivery of the Clinic to the city of Rio Vista, CA by Life Line, the manufacturer.
• Display of the Mobile Clinic at the Rio Vista city hall.
• Parade the Clinic down the main street of Rio Vista, CA including marching High School bands, fire and police units and convertible automobiles with local Rotary and town VIPs.
• Declaring Rotary Eye Clinic Day by the Rio Vista Council.
• Loading the Clinic on to a freighter at the port of Oakland. Dock site departure ceremony at the port of Oakland to be covered by the press, TV and radio with the participation of the Consul General of Thailand from Los Angeles and numerous Rotary and other VIPs.

Planned Schedule within Thailand (prepared by Rotary Club of Tongkah)

Continued advertise the news via several medias such as websites, The Thai Rotarian and District Governor’s newsletter.

• Arrival of the Clinic at Bangkok Port, Thailand.
• Day1: Hand over the Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical Unit to The Thai Red Cross Society, by presenting to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society) with the participation of R.I.President Bill Boyd (if possible, in coordination with his schedule), Past RI President Bhichai Rattakul, PDG. Norraseth Pattamanond, PP.Captain Henry Simonsen, PDG.Dr. Werner Schwarz and US team, Thai Red Cross Society VIPs, District Governors 3330,3340, 3350, 3360, other VIPs from medical fields, local press, TV and other medias.
• Day2: Bring the Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical Unit together with working teams from The Thai Red Cross Society and US Team to the Tsunami affected areas in Phang-Nga province. Display of the mobile unit at the Phang-Nga City Hall.
• Day3: Ophtalmology treatment and surgical work shop at the Tsunami affected areas by The Thai Red Cross Society together with working teams from USA., participation by Phang-Nga Provincial Governor, District Governor 3330, Rotarians, honorable guests from local medical professions, local press and medias.
• Day4; Bring the Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and Surgical unit to Phuket Province, display the unit at Phuket City Hall. Welcome and Thank you Dinner Ceremony to US working teams and team from the Thai Red Cross Society hosted by Rotary club of Tongkah, attended by Phuket Provincial Governor, District Governor 3330, Rotarians in the areas, honorable guests from local medical professions, local press and medias.
• Day5: Bring the Mobile Ophthalmology Treatment and surgical Unit back to the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok.