Pierra Vejjabul
Pierra Hoontrakul’s journey to become a doctor started young. She was first inspired by a French doctor who saved her mother’s life and her aspirations were further strengthened many years later when a mother died in her arms. Although her father objected, it never deterred her. In retaliation, she sold her valuables and ran to Paris, funding her education at the Sorbonne School of Medicine where she earned her M.B in 1934 and her M.D in 1936, graduating with honors. She became the first female physician in Thailand
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Her Story
She returned to Bangkok in 1937 where she worked at the Hospital of the Ministry of Public Health’s division of venereal disease as a medical officer. During her time, she began using blood tests to find syphilis in factory and government workers. She introduced a study on venereal diseases while actively working to educate the public. Pierra advocated relentlessly for women’s rights, working to improve unhygienic childcare practices and Thai traditions, such as polygamy and prostitution.
She created the Pierra Maternity and Child Welfare Foundation and joined the International Union against the Venereal Diseases and Treponematose to solve medicine and social welfare problems globally. She would later help found the Association of Women Physicians in Thailand in 1950.
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Pierra was particularly concerned with prostitution in Thailand so she underwent a study for their rehabilitation. When she was appointed as the overseer of licensed prostitution by the Ministry of Public Health, she started a project to cure venereal disease among prostitutes in 1938, eventually illegalizing legal prostitution in 1960.
The Pierra Maternity and Child Welfare Foundation provided free medical care and housing for mothers. The foundation would teach them the best ways to raise children to raise the standard of living for the whole family. Pierra would give radio talks on child care, guidance, and venereal disease. She notably fostered hundreds of kids under her name Vejjabul which was given to her by Thai Premier Luang Pibul Songram.
Image: Oknation