As an 11 year old Karen refugee in Bendigo, Gai Porh La Myint (GP) knew only how to say “Hello” in English. Today, GP is a fully-fledged pharmacist at Bendigo Health, assisting other Karen patients by translating and understanding their cultural safety and treatment needs.
“I always wanted to become a pharmacist, and specifically at Bendigo [Health] because my grandma was treated here when she had a stroke. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and she was also cared for here. I always wanted to work here, so I could give back all the things they have done for my family.”
Bendigo Health supported GP’s career path by offering her an internship following graduation from La Trobe University. She has now been qualified for a year and a half. But she is sought out and called upon for her translation skills all over the hospital – and in the 2,500+ Karen community in region.
GP also combines her language and pharmacy knowledge to translate medicine labels and dosage instructions. Though she is in high demand, she feels buoyed by her colleagues.
“The pharmacy community are a very supportive cohort; if I am ever unsure of something I can call one of my pharmacist colleagues. During my internship year I was also being guided at all times, so that really helped.”
“When I’m working on the wards, the unit managers are very helpful. When working as a pharmacist there, handling medication safety needs, they look after you. You get to know the nursing staff and the allied health staff – everyone.”
For GP, the most rewarding aspect of her job is when she receives phone calls from other wards: “They say ‘we have a Karen patient, are you able to help?’ Health literacy is one thing, but if you also don’t speak the language it’s very difficult for those patients.
“There was one instance when we had a patient arrive in the Emergency Department who reported they were having heart problems and so their treatment was going down that pathway. But when I spoke to the patient I understood they were trying to communicate feeling anxious because that’s what heart issues mean to Karen people.
“So when they see me they get quite excited, and when the staff see me and I’m helping them explain the medications - they are very happy too.”
For information about the Karen Culture and Social Support Foundation visit http://kcssf.org.au/
If you want to be your best with us, visit https://bendigohealth.mercury.com.au/
Read more Be Your Best stories at https://bendigohealth.org.au/beyourbest