Pilot project in developing community rehabilitation service for migrant workers suffering from pneumoconiosis in Mainland China.
Pneumoconiosis is one of the major occupational health problems in China and increasing numbers of migrant workers suffered from this occupational disease after working in a dusty environment for few years. These migrant workers panicked after being diagnosed as suffering from pneumoconiosis and facing physiological disturbances including progressive dyspnea, respiratory failure or complications like silico-tuberculosis after their return to their rural village. This article reviews the preliminary results of a community rehabilitation pilot project conducted in a rural village in Guizhou, one of the provinces in southwest China. It shares the joint effort of professionals from Guangdong Province and Hong Kong SAR on supporting the migrant workers to manage and cope with this occupational disease. Finally, strategies including early intervention were suggested to help migrant workers to manage the disease. Most importantly, occupational health promotion and prevention were urged as the measures of utmost importance in reducing the risk for migrant workers suffering from pneumoconiosis.
Lo
H Y L K
HY
Hong Kong Workers Health Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China. karen@hkwhc.org.hk
Luo
X Y
XY
Lau
C M J
CM
Wong
K Y L
KY
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016730:Program Development; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014171:Transients and Migrants