PUTTING HEALTH IN FOCUS
Health in Focus was founded in September 2020 on the belief that everyone deserves access to quality and affordable healthcare and education. Our vision is to both elevate the standard of healthcare and education and to reduce the gap in inequality that currently exists.
Our work began in Vietnam and is now growing globally. We take an upstream approach in creating public health policy change, and downstream in planning, organizing, and running various initiatives. We partner with other organizations and governments to tackle global issues - including our hygiene projects, medical camps, equipment donations, and health education workshops.
Founder & Managing Director, Ryan Brigham, organizing a medical camp whilst hospitalized.
Everyone at Health in Focus has a story to tell, a reason for fighting against healthcare and education inequity. Founder Ryan Brigham battled numerous health issues and spent time both treating patients and being a patient himself. After spending 3 weeks volunteering in Ho Chi Minh’s hospitals by day and orphanages by night, it was clear that not enough was being done to support these patients and communities. That’s where Health in Focus formed, and together, we will work towards a world where everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare and education services.
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS
Jennifer Dang (Communication Officer, Vietnam)
Jennifer is a current 5th year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student at the University of Auckland. She was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She moved to Auckland, New Zealand, at age 15 to pursue a better education and future career. Despite moving overseas at a young age, “Vietnam still forms a huge part of my identity and undoubtedly holds a special place in my heart” she explains.
Jennifer (right) donating medication to a social protection centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Jennifer joined Health in Focus in April 2021 as a Communications Officer because she “was inspired by HIF’s work to address global healthcare, focusing on targeting health inequities”. She follows, “I know we have vulnerable populations here in desperate need of attention, but I never knew exactly how to lend a helping hand prior to this. HIF is a perfect match for my standards and work ethic, and as such, I will get the opportunity to thrive and develop within my role.
Following unexpected family circumstances, Jennifer returned to Ho Chi Minh in June 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and border closures, she has been unable to return to New Zealand to resume her studies. Whilst stuck in Vietnam, Jennifer has completed numerous projects to help the people of Ho Chi Minh City - notably, the creation and review of our 4 Checkpoints for Hand Hygiene Initiative, translation of documents into Vietnamese, establishment of partnerships, and delivery of medication and supplies to orphanages, nursing homes and homeless shelters across Ho Chi Minh. “Being able to bring these vulnerable communities the essentials they’ve been lacking, see their positivity and perseverance through the tough times of COVID-19, and seeing how much they appreciate the work we do – it is definitely an unforgettable experience I will always cherish” she reflects.