The visit of Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin and MoPH Permanent Secretary, Dr Opart Karnkawinpong to Mae Sot, Tak province on 21 February 2025 to discuss potential solutions with local health authorities, international partners such as WHO, IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF and NGOs to address the public health impact and health care needs of displaced persons residing in the 3 temporary shelters in Tak province.
The visit was commenced in response to temporary suspension of health care services funded from US government to IRC, an NGO providing comprehensive health care services to displaced persons living in the 7 camps located in Tak, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Mae Hong Son provinces.
Given the temporary shelters are located on Thai soil, to prevent future problems MoPH will develop the Migrant Heath National Plan and Border Health Strategy to address this issue in the long term. MoPH will also work to strengthen capacity of health personnel in the public hospitals located at the border area and optimizing technology for health care services i.e., Telemedicine for displaced persons. Furthermore, MoPH will discuss with neighboring country to come up with an agreement to address health care needs of displaced persons in a systematic manner.