Is the TB test really required, or a money making scam? I don't know if TB is a problem in Thailand, anyone know? My Thai missus is from rural Issan and even she had the TB jab when she was a child, same as the UK, and TB isn't a problem there.

Maybe it's coming in with all the Burmese/Laos/Cambodian illegal immigrants, and causing a problem.

We want to apply for a UK settlement visa, but no appointment until late morning 6 January. That means a lot of running around, go to IOM, then to one of the two designated hospitals, by then it will probably be too late to get back to the IOM to pick up the certificate, so another trip the next day. The designated hospitals are both very good places, doesn't the Embassy trust them to issue the certificates?

Maybe I've got hold of the wrong end of the stick on this, any enlightenment greatly appreciated.

From what I can gather, the number of TB cases in the UK has risen dramatically and most of the new occurrences are in people who have recently settled in the UK; i.e. they brought it with them from abroad. This costs the NHS millions of pounds, so the government is hoping to save money by ensuring that people who settle in the UK are either free from the disease or have undergone treatment, and Thailand was selected as the trial country. I presume the IOM was chosen to oversee the scheme because of the perception of it being generally corruption free.

Scouse.

Tuberculosis: The clinical incidence of tuberculosis in Thailand has been increasing since 1987. This is probably due to the high incidence of HIV infection. There is also an increasing rate of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is common in all developing countries. However, this country has a prevalence of over 100 cases per 100,000 population, the highest WHO risk category. Travelers planning to stay more than 3 months should have pre-departure PPD skin test status documented. Travelers should avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible. Domestic help should be screened for TB.

Source: http://www.travmed.com/maps/country.epl?c=Thailand

I presume the IOM was chosen to oversee the scheme because of the perception of it being generally corruption free.

Scouse.

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As said, it would be far, far less hassle for people if they could just go to the designated hospitals (Bamrungrad or Phya Thai) and get certified as well as checked out there. What is the necessity of the IOM? If people could just go to the hospital they would be done in a couple of hours.

Realizing what a nightmare it would be to get this TB certificate - especially as we have a young baby going everywhere with us, me and the wife brought forward our settlement application to Nov 30. Thank God we did!

From what I can gather, the number of TB cases in the UK has risen dramatically and most of the new occurrences are in people who have recently settled in the UK; i.e. they brought it with them from abroad. This costs the NHS millions of pounds, so the government is hoping to save money by ensuring that people who settle in the UK are either free from the disease or have undergone treatment, and Thailand was selected as the trial country. I presume the IOM was chosen to oversee the scheme because of the perception of it being generally corruption free.

Scouse.

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I take your point Scouse, but as been stated, why involve the IOM at all, the chosen hospitals can do their job! I've lived here nearly 4 years now, why am I exempt, and children also?

Among my extended group of friends I've known 3 Thai wives with TB. These ladies only discovered they had TB during Immigration TB checks. Fortunately all were cleared and allowed to migrate after a long period of medication and injections.

I take your point Scouse, but as been stated, why involve the IOM at all, the chosen hospitals can do their job!  I've lived here nearly 4 years now, why am I exempt, and children also?

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You're exempt because you're British, so can't be prevented from going to the UK irrespective of any affliction you may have.

I really don't know why the IOM was chosen to oversee the process, but the thought did cross my mind that if left to the hospitals to adminster, there is the possibility that a donation to the doctor's pension fund might get someone an "all clear" certificate even when they have the disease.

Scouse.