Direct Talk

There's an organization in Thailand
that provides free medical services

in mountainous areas
with a shortage of doctors,

called the "Let's be Heroes Foundation."

The founder is Lalana Kongtoranin,
an emergency medical doctor.

At the hospital where I interned,
there were kids crying and screaming,

some with bloody ears.

But they couldn't be treated right away.

I wanted to become a doctor
and treat people for free.

Thailand's economy
has seen ongoing development,

and while a public medical
insurance system exists,

numerous ethnic minorities
and migrant workers

still lack access to healthcare.

Kongtoranin collaborates
with volunteer doctors,

offering medical assistance
to these communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Foundation extended its reach

by providing free
online medical consultations

and distributing medicines and food.

Let's be Heroes Foundation
received recognition

from the United Nations
Volunteers program in 2023.

She also pursues a career as an actor.

Her celebrity status plays a pivotal role

in bolstering the Foundation's fundraising
efforts and supporting other activities.

For physicians,
acting experience is often useful.

Kongtoranin discuss the challenges
providing medical support

and her diverse roles outside of medicine.

Kongtoranin serves as a physician
in a Bangkok hospital's emergency room.

Additionally, she heads the
"Let's Be Heroes Foundation,"

offering free medical care.

Twice a year, her team of specialist doctors

travels to the Umphang district
near the Thai-Myanmar border,

where they provide treatment for
approximately 100 patients on every visit.

A person's life or death affects
not only themselves

but also the lives of their family
and those around them.

So I believe that saving one life
can lead to saving multiple people.

Kongtoranin grew up in a wealthy family,

but her motives to become a doctor
has changed over the years.

In elementary school, we had a class

where we had to draw a picture
of our dreams for the future.

Everyone drew a doctor,
a policeman, and so on.

I drew a parasite in my mother's stomach.

I thought it'd live comfortably
in a safe place.

Initially, her aspirations
to becoming a doctor

was for a lucrative income
and a comfortable life.

I was always an indifferent student, but you
need good grades to become a doctor, right?

Once I've made up my mind,

I'm the diligent kind of person
who never gives up, no matter what.

I thought that if I did my best,
I wouldn't regret it.

I studied hard and
set my sights on medical school.

Kongtoranin's motivation to pursue a
medical career underwent a transformation

in her senior year in high school.

This shift occurred
when she personally witnessed

the healthcare disparities in her country.

During an internship at a hospital
catering to low-income earners,

she encountered a new environment.

The patients relied on
The Universal Coverage Scheme,

subscribed to by 75%
of the population in Thailand,

with a nominal one-dollar enrollment fee.

However, despite the widespread subscription,

the care provided to patients in
this setting fell short in various aspects.

I was shocked by what I saw
on my first day as an intern.

My family had gone to a large hospital
in the city center with lots of doctors.

But where I interned, there were
100 patients but only one doctor,

who was so busy there was no time to eat.

Seeing that made me realize
how helpless I was.

I knew that I wanted to become a doctor
and help these people for free.

Kongtoranin seized an opportunity
to support a free clinic

in her first year of medical school

by participating in something
unconventional, a beauty contest.

Her mother also supported this.

She let her daughter know how winning
could bring attention to the cause.

In 2006, she went on
to become Miss Thailand,

further amplifying her ability
to advocate for the clinic.

I didn't really like
having my picture taken or going on stage.

I was hesitant to
apply for the contest, but

that was the first step to a free clinic.

Kongtoranin specialized
as an emergency room physician

after graduating from medical school.

I chose to become
an emergency medical technician

because they work
at the crossroads of human life.

If an EMT's diagnosis is accurate,

the patient will receive appropriate care,

and that will determine
the rest of their life.

In 2017, three years into her medical career,

Kongtoranin founded the
"Let's Be Heroes Foundation."

Learning about the shortage of
specialized medical treatment in rural areas,

she quickly assembled a dedicated team
of volunteer doctors to extend medical care

to rural mountainous communities
with limited access to healthcare.

In the Umphang area near the Myanmar border,

heart and skin diseases are common,
but there are no local specialists.

We send a team of specialists to provide
accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

In one case, a skin disease that had
persisted for 3 years improved in 2 weeks.

This kind of free medical care is something
I've dreamed of since high school.

Thai citizens can access affordable
medical care through the public

"Universal Coverage Scheme."

The same privilege doesn't extend to
many migrant workers and ethnic minorities

who lack Thai citizenship.

Bridging this gap,
the "Let's Be Heroes Foundation"

steps in to provide essential medical care
for this disadvantaged group as well.

The people who help us provide
free on-site medical care are

foundation physicians, personal friends,
and social media followers.

All volunteers.

They've been helping us provide
medical assistance

to mountainous areas for many years.

Our activities are funded by donations.

The bulk of our expenses are
for special medical care.

If you are Thai, your medical expenses
are covered by public insurance.

Some of the patients we support
are ethnic minorities without Thai IDs.

For those people, we sometimes cover
the high cost of treatment and surgery.

In 2020, the dispatch of specialist doctors
was paused due to the pandemic.

However they were undeterred.
Foundation continued.

Volunteer physicians provided
online diagnoses for patients

shared insights with other medical
organizations for Covid vaccination services.

They distributed free medicine and food
for 3 months to approximately 5,600 patients.

By August 2023, they resumed dispatching
medical specialists to mountainous areas.

Our onsite clinic is not a general outpatient
clinic that's held in a temporary tent.

Rather, we dispatch specialists

who can provide appropriate
medical care to people who need it.

That requires a community-based
partner hospital

that will research and share information
about local patients in advance.

But it's difficult to find partners

who will work for free
outside of their regular services.

We're about

midway along in our expansion plans.

The team sent to the Umphang region

now includes surgeons,
pediatricians, and obstetricians.

We would like to send specialists
to other areas as well.

The distinctive name
"Let's Be Heroes Foundation"

was created to be easily remembered.

It embodies Kongtoranin's
aspiration for individuals

to embrace altruistic values
and emerge as heroes.

When I thought up
the concept for the foundation,

I didn't want it to be
just us helping people.

I wanted to encourage others to extend their
support through participatory activities.

That's why I named the foundation,
"Let's Be Heroes!"

My idea of a hero is not someone
with special abilities or influence.

When a person is in need,
someone can help them.

That is the hero for
that person at that moment.

In 2018, the foundation began
offering free CPR training sessions

to empower non-physicians to assist during
emergencies before an ambulance arrives.

Although you want to
send fresh oxygen, this is

too much.

In Bangkok, monthly training
accommodates 40 participants,

facilitated by approximately 8 volunteer
paramedics per session.

The popularity of the events are evident
as classes quickly reach full capacity

within minutes of notification
on social media.

This activity serves as a catalyst

in nurturing everyday heroes
within the general public.

I can use my medical knowledge and experience
to train others on how to do CPR.

And apart from direct medical support
by a team of specialists,

I can expand the circle
of mutual medical help

by sharing my knowledge
and skills with the public.

If I pass on what I know
to 40 people in a workshop,

they may one day save the lives
of family members or others.

I thank activities like that
are also important.

I wanted to learn CPR because

I'm sure it will help me
if I'm ever in an accident.

Kongtoranin's dual role
as an actress adds further visibility

to the Foundation's activities.

She takes on prominent characters
in a romantic comedy show and participates

in action dramas
broadcasted on Thai television.

I've worked in two industries
since I was 18 years old.

To me, acting and medicine
are not contrasting worlds.

From the outside
they may seem like two extremes,

but I see a lot of similarities.

Medical work is an art form.

Acting is also artistic work.

In Thai, the term for "medical license"

contains the same root
as the Thai word for "art."

Medicine is the art of healing.

When I see patients face to face,

my experience working as an actor
often comes in handy.

Patients listen to me carefully
and often tell me about their illnesses.

I think my speaking ability
as an actor helps too.

On night shifts, I work until 8:00 a.m.
and then go straight to the film shoot.

I've been working relentlessly
for over 10 years.

Overwork has led to health problems
and panic attacks.

To work in a balanced manner
and keep from becoming sleep deprived,

I now only work
early morning shifts at the hospital.

As she works with the
"Let's be Heroes Foundation,"

she finds joy in witnessing individuals
from diverse backgrounds

transform into heroes.

During COVID, there was a patient
who received online medical care from us.

He said that once he got over COVID

he would volunteer to help with
the foundation's activities.

Later, he helped deliver medicine,
food and daily necessities to patients.

Another hero is born in
Umphang's medical relief efforts.

A woman in her 30s living in a mountainous
area had a heart valve malfunction.

Without the foundation's support,
she probably would have died.

The woman was in serious condition,
unable to work or do chores.

She was immediately transported
to Bangkok for surgery.

Later, she hugged me and said,

"Thanks to you, I have the energy
to scold my husband and children.

Now I can raise my kids and work."

The foundation's assistance bore fruit.

After recovering from her illness,

the woman was able to return to her village
and continue supporting her family.

Kongtoranin aims to create a
scholarship program at the foundation.

This is to support the next generation
in becoming future heroes.

Our medical work in mountainous areas has
made me realize the importance of education.

If a child from a poor family
can become a doctor,

they'll be able to support not only
their family but also many other people.

That is why I want to offer a scholarship

that will assist them until
they graduate from college.

The foundation will support
young people with potential

to be eligible for the scholarship.

I want the recipients to take the knowledge

they've gained back to their
hometowns and communities.

Finally, we asked her to
share with us her favorite words.

Whatever you are doing, do your best.

I always tell myself that I will do my best
to do whatever's in front of me.

If you do the best you can with
what you are given at any moment,

you won't have any regrets,
no matter the outcome.

I have multiple jobs.

When I am a doctor, I do my best at medicine.

When I'm an actor, I do my best at acting,

and to my parents
I try to do my best as a child.

We will continue to play a role in bringing
people together through medical support.

There are still lots of people who need help
and many who would like to lend a hand.