Thailand Prepares for Surge in Refugee Healthcare Needs

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

The Tak Provincial Public Health Office in Thailand is gearing up to accommodate a large influx of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, with around 40,000 to 50,000 people expected. This preparation comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to cut funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

 

Healthcare services at Nu Po Refugee Camp in Tak's Umphang district have been halted since January 27, with only emergency cases being treated. The region hosts nine camps with around 90,000 refugees, who have fled conflict in Myanmar over the past 30 years. These camps have relied heavily on U.S. and other Western nation support.

 

The funding suspension raises concerns for local hospitals that have relied on IRC's financial aid to provide care for refugees. These hospitals are now facing extra pressure to support a potential surge of refugee patients while already struggling to meet the needs of Thai patients under the universal healthcare scheme.

 

 

Pitakpong Chandaeng, chief of the Tak Provincial Public Health Office, highlighted the challenges being faced, saying officials have convened to strategize on handling the situation. Previously, public health units funded by the IRC cared for refugee patients but now must focus limited resources on treating general diseases, chronic conditions, psychiatric disorders, tuberculosis, and emergencies.

 

Efforts are underway to seek funding from other NGOs to help manage the situation. There are currently three temporary shelters in Tak—Mae La Centre, Umpium Centre, and Nu Po Centre—housing about 40,000 to 50,000 refugees.

 

Worawit Tantiwattanasap, director of Umphang Hospital, proposed creating a national fund to gather donations, emphasizing the need for humanitarian support and ensuring medical treatment remains free for refugees.

 

-- 2025-02-06

 

 

[SunnyinBangrak]

Why was the American taxpayer paying for Burmese problems? Thank goodness those days are over. Every country must be responsible for its own issues.

[rattlesnake]

11 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Why was the American taxpayer paying for Burmese problems? Thank goodness those days are over. Every country must be responsible for its own issues.

 

Absolutely.

[hotchilli]

The solution is to get the military out of government, not continue to have Go-fund me's for refugee camps