Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) works to address the determinants of health (especially mental health) by taking a holistic approach to health.
The aim of this approach is to prevent morbidity and promote health. HEI’s prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs are in the form of:
- Community-based mental health interventions
- Mental Health Services
- Research-driven Advocacy
- Internships for Students of Medicine and Psychology
HEI promotes and protects the right to health of marginalized populations in Malaysia through its diverse program of activities. HEI recognizes that for positive change to occur – for the right to health to be realized – work must happen on multiple fronts and build synergistically.
To advance the right to health of marginalized populations, HEI works in the following ways:
- Establish community based health interventions that increase agency and empower individuals and communities to access health care
- Support the efforts of community based groups to realize their right to health
- Use evidence based and participatory research approaches to demonstrate the links between social marginalization and health outcomes in order to promote equity in health
- Advocate for the development of just, fair and inclusive policies that enable less advantaged communities to gain control over their health
- Engage in national, regional and global partnerships that foster equity and justice in health
Core Programs
HEI’s core programs are designed to address the immediate health needs of marginalized communities in Malaysia, particularly the refugee and asylum seeker community, and also work toward the long-term goal of improving their lives in the Malaysian context and beyond. HEI’s mental health professionals offer mental health services at HEI’s Community Center and through home visits.
To build community capacity and extend its mental health support, HEI trains volunteer Community Health Workers (CHW) in the area of mental health. HEI also develops tools and manuals to support both its own work as well as the work of other groups and organizations.
In response to the lack of information on refugee health in Malaysia, HEI has initiated a number of research/monitoring projects to better understand refugees’ needs and concerns, particularly in the areas of mental heath, basic needs and access to health care services. These activities also ensure that related advocacy is evidence-based.
To help create a context in which refugees’ right to health is understood and realized, HEI also builds health professionals’ knowledge base to monitor and advocate for the right to health of refugees. HEI currently does this through its internship program with students of medicine and psychology.
Additional Activities
HEI undertakes a number of smaller interventions to support refugees in Malaysia. These activities are done on a more casual basis or in direct response to immediate needs in the community. Such initiatives include donations, material support and organizing social gatherings for children of patients receiving mental health services.
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