A medical safe space for sexual diversity so that sex is something that can be dared to talk about when there is risk or in times of abnormality. Starting from ideas and experiences that are Pain Points to adjusting the business for people, despite the diversity, sex and medicine still have to always go hand in hand for “safety” with a social enterprise with medical expertise. From a small business, a refuge for diverse groups, until going far at the global level with Pulse Silom Company Limited.
Pulse Clinic is a clinic that aims to promote and provide excellence in holistic sexual health without prejudice or judgment of gender diversity. It is a sexual health clinic with a specific focus on LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning). Services include screening, sexually transmitted infections, counseling, treatment, medication, and alternative medicine.
Now we are entering a world of true acceptance of diversity, a world where there is no judgment but acceptance. Normally, if anyone has ever experienced sexual dysfunction or failed to have sex without a condom, we would understand the awkwardness of having to tell these stories to doctors at general hospitals or the fear of being judged through looks or words that make us think, “Is this insulting me?” Because these are real problems, Pulse Clinic was born. In this episode, we will get to know this place better through an interview with Mr. Ton Peerachat Yaem-im, CO-FOUNDER of Pulse Silom Co., Ltd.
The origin and origin of Safe Zones
Ton told us that it all started when his younger brother, Tae, was a medical student. He went out and drank alcohol. After that, a problem arose because Tae accidentally had unprotected sex. When he returned home, he was worried that he might be at risk of contracting HIV or other infectious diseases. So he decided to consult a nurse at the hospital where Tae was studying. However, the nurse quickly judged that Tae had behaved badly and scolded him, “You’re a doctor, why do you act like this?” This incident made Tae realize the problem and he consulted with his family that something should be done so that others who have similar problems won’t have to go through the same thing again. This was the origin of the establishment of Pulse Silom Co., Ltd. to create a safe space for LGBTQ people.
What is LGBTQ?
- L lesbian group of women who love women
- G gay group of men who love men
- B bisexual A group that loves both men and women.
- T transgender A group of transgender people from male to female or female to male.
- Q queer or Questioning is a group of people who are attracted to a certain gender, regardless of gender or love.
In addition to male and female, humans have a variety of sexual preferences that are more diverse than the LGBTQ that has been defined. Because gender is a matter of preference, not a condition or pattern that must be defined. “The misunderstanding that LGBTQ is different from normal people” But in fact, LGBTQ is a normal person whose sexual preference or preference to have a relationship with someone is not the same as what most people think. Because most people tend to have a basic idea that men like women. This is a formula for love and relationships in the world. Even though in reality, women may love women or men may love men.
“When we were planning, we thought we wanted it to be a place where friends take care of each other.”
Ton said that Pulch Silom’s business is now in its 7th year, but it has only been registered as a social enterprise for about 2 years because when it first started doing this business, it did not have access to government information that required registration for businesses that were operating to help society. Ton said that it initially started as a small clinic of 15 square meters, run by a family. The idea of providing services was to make every customer feel comfortable so that they would dare to tell everything truthfully without fear of being judged. In terms of income, it did not need to be much because the cost of running a clinic was not high. Luckily, Ton’s friends were mostly LGBTQ people. When they came to use the services, they told each other by word of mouth, so many people came to use the services and received continuous good feedback.
Are medical services different for the general public and for LGBTQ people?
In providing services, everyone uses the same standards already, but LGBTQ people may need more trust because the clinic wants to provide services in a friendly manner so that customers who come to use the services will be open-minded and dare to tell their true stories for the right treatment without having to be afraid of being judged or discriminated against. Most importantly, all customers who come to use the services can be assured that their information will be kept confidential and that the services will definitely be private.
What services are currently available?
Previously, Pulse Silom only provided HIV and other sexually transmitted infections testing. They also dispensed PrEP, a medication to prevent HIV infection for those who did not yet have it, and PEP, an emergency HIV prevention medication for those who had recently had risky sex, such as unprotected sex or protection but the condom fell off or broke. They also dispensed antiretroviral medication for those who were already HIV-infected but did not want to go to government health centers or large hospitals.
“We cater to everyone, not just LGBTQ.”
Pulse Clinic’s services have now expanded beyond the LGBTQ target group. Since it opened, there have been women who like men or men who like women who have come to receive services. Some people may think that Pulse Clinic is a gay clinic and do not dare to receive services. This is something that the clinic has tried to do to expand the scope of its services and remove the stereotype that it only provides services to LGBTQ people. It has tried to reach the general public. Therefore, the additional services are for everyone.
Providing consulting services
Some people have sex and know that they are at risk but do not know who to ask. For example, two people rub their genitals and are worried, so they come to the clinic for advice to help assess the risk. Because after having sex, many people are worried but do not dare to consult a doctor at a government hospital or a large hospital, so they choose to come to the Pulse Clinic for advice instead. In addition, there is also consultation on erectile dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction. When you come in, the doctor will give advice on what to do, whether it is taking medicine or using electrical waves to stimulate blood vessels, etc.
Providing services other than sexual health
Pulse Clinic now offers COVID-19 screening services or issuance of COVID-19 test certificates for overseas travel. There are both ATK and RT PCR tests. If you come to receive the service at the time the officer has appointed, you will receive the results the next day. The services include acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine for those who have pain or office syndrome and want to receive alternative medical treatment. There are services in muscle building and hormone adjustment for those who have hormonal imbalances or are older and have abnormal hormones.
Social enterprise success indicators
Ton explained that if Pulse Clinic were to measure results in numbers, it would be difficult, but if measured by feedback, it would be clearer, whether it was feedback from organizations, companies, or government agencies that were interested and came to work with the clinic. They asked to observe the work or invited them to join seminars to share their experiences because Pulse Clinic is a private company. In fact, medical expenses are higher than general government hospitals. However, customers still choose to use Pulse Clinic’s services more than government hospitals, which is a clear success of Pulse Clinic. As a result, Pulse Clinic now has 6 branches in Bangkok, 2 in Phuket, and will open 1 more in Pattaya this year. In other countries, there are 2 branches in Hong Kong, 1 in Kuala Lumpur, 1 in Singapore, and recently opened 1 in the Philippines.
“Strengthening the clinic and expanding the area to help solve social problems.”
Having multiple branches strengthens the clinic. Each area where Pulse Clinic opens a branch, studies have shown that that area has a relatively high HIV infection rate. They are also facing the same problems as the LGBTQ population in Thailand, which is being judged and feeling uncomfortable using general health care services. Therefore, they think that they can create a network in that country.
“Since the clinic is far away, customers don’t come. So the clinic should expand its branches to meet customers.”
The selection of areas to expand branches is partly based on feedback from other people who want to receive services. For example, a customer flew from the Philippines to receive HIV medication and flew back. The customer said that his country doesn’t have it, etc. These things were the spark that inspired the expansion of branches and the selection of areas to expand branches to provide services. We also saw that some customer groups didn’t want to travel, so the clinic went to them by expanding branches closer to the customers’ homes instead.
From the first day’s image compared to the actual image today
Ton said that he used to think that he wanted to do this job because he wanted to support his family members or friends who were also LGBTQ. He didn’t look far ahead to having customers from 130 countries around the world who traveled to receive services at Pulse Clinic. In addition, Pulse Clinic also thought that it was helping the government reduce the cost of treating patients with infectious diseases, providing counseling, and dispensing HIV medication. Having government agencies and organizations from both Thailand and abroad show interest and come to work with us is a source of great pride for Pulse Clinic.
Conclusion
In doing social enterprise business, first of all, we have to see what problems society has. Which part do we want to solve? We can start by looking at ourselves. Like Mr. Ton, Mr. Ton started by looking at himself first, what kind of problems he encountered, who else encountered the same problems as us, what kind of service, what kind of products they need, and then trying to find those things to fill in, fix, and help with what is lacking or wrong. We have to do it to the fullest. If we see that there are other problems in society that should be solved, start with that part first. Every problem has value in itself.
Ton’s Pulse Clinic business has shown us that sexual diversity is not something we should limit or judge. Everyone is a normal person. People walking on the street like women, men, or both genders. It’s just a sexual preference. Every human being has freedom of preference. For Pulse Clinic, sexual issues are for everyone, not just one gender. Therefore, everyone can use the service with the guarantee that everyone will be safe from being judged, looked down on, or having their stories told.
“Doing social enterprise business requires us to be strong and use our hearts because if we only use our bodies, we will definitely get tired.”
“Safe Space” in Diversity | The Practical Sustainability “Friend” Enterprise Society
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Contact channels
Pulse Silom Co., Ltd.: 60/4 Silom Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand 10500
www.pulse-clinic.com Tel. +66 65 237 1936 or Line: @pulseclinic
Supported by the Office of Social Enterprise Promotion (OSEP)
