BANGKOK, 20 May 2015 – The Ministry of Public Health has entered into a collaboration with the International Organization for Migration in improving the healthcare system for migrants.
Dr. Surachet Satitramai, acting permanent secretary of the public health ministry, and Jeffrey Labovitz, Chief of Mission of the International Office of Migration (IOM) in Thailand have signed a collaboration agreement on the improvement of healthcare for aliens in provinces close to the border. The collaboration will see to the development of a healthcare system for aliens in 31 provinces with large numbers of migrants, such as Tak, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo and Ranong.
Provincial public health offices and public hospitals have been tasked with providing basic healthcare service for migrants. The service is to cover minor illnesses as well as serious cases, as well as to promote the prevention of contagious diseases. The IOM will, throughout all three years of the collaboration, provide funding to participating hospitals and health offices.
