Thailand

For decades Thailand has been a magnet for economic migrants and asylum seekers fleeing poverty or political unrest in the surrounding regions. The country introduced a Universal Health Coverage Scheme in 2001, and although the national healthcare scheme was extended to include registered labour migrants, it does not cover those who are undocumented. These people make up more than three-quarters of the total migrant population and usually cannot afford treatment. MSF has been working to help such migrants, and has been continuing to give medical assistance to displaced people and marginalised ethnic minority groups.

 

Cross-border activities

 

MSF continued to support people living in New Mon State (Myanmar) throughout 2009. Along the border with Thailand, the area enjoys semi-autonomy and has its own health authority but it lacks drugs and equipment. The Mon people live in small, scattered and remote villages. The MSF programme focuses mainly on treating and preventing malaria, which is endemic here. Teams train village malaria workers and support local health centres. In 2009, MSF distributed more than 1,400 bed nets and carried out 3,700 consultations.

 

In March 2009, drawing on its experience in New Mon State, MSF began training Thai medical staff operating in the remote areas of Kayah State, eastern Myanmar, near the border with Thailand. These staff have direct contact with isolated ethnic minorities hiding in the jungle who have no access to healthcare. MSF also donated malaria treatment and diagnosis kits.

 

Hmong refugees

 

Having worked in the refugee camp for four years, MSF ended its activities in May 2009 because the Thai army attempted to empty the camps by forcibly repatriating the Hmong people to Laos. In addition the army increased restrictions on access to medical treatment and food to pressurise refugees to return, which reduced MSF’s ability to work.

MSF repeatedly denounced the Thai and Laotian government’s policy of forced repatriation and called for an independent third party (the UN High Commission on Refugees – UNHCR) to be involved to help guarantee the refugees’ rights and safety upon their return to Laos.

 

Before leaving, MSF had conducted 11,200 consultations, mainly for respiratory infections, diarrhoea and skin infections, and provided psychological support to people suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. MSF also provided family planning and immunisation programmes for pregnant women and children.

 

After MSF’s departure, camp activities were handed over to a local non governmental organisation with the support of UNICEF. At the end of 2009, the Thai government forcibly repatriated more than 4,000 Hmong from the camp, without involving UNHCR.

 

HIV handover

 

2009 marked the end of MSF’s HIV/AIDS projects with the handover in July of its last programme in Phang Nga, southern Thailand.