Abstract
Background: World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) has been awarded Global Fund to implement TB/HIV integrated grant for high risk Tuberculosis(TB)groups migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao and Vietnam under Ministry of Public Health Thailand from 2015-2017. Approximate 4 millions of migrant are working 3 Ds job like dirty, dangerous and difficult work conditions and 30% of them are unregistered. This study was conducted to know the barriers to access Tuberculosis care among migrants TB patients within two years period and explore field gaps between policy and implementation in the vulnerable population in six provinces of Bangkok, Pathom Htani, Tak, Kachanaburi, Phuket and Ranong. Methods & Materials: Documents of 354 migrant TB patients who are registered under this project were reviewed and in depth interviews with 20 TB patients including 4 Multidrug resistance TB (MDR TB), 6 Dots providers, 12 migrant health volunteers and 2 project staff were conducted. Moreover, 8 key informant interviews with health service providers, local authorities and community leaders. Triangulation case study and focus group analysis methods were used. Results: It showed that 21% (75/354) of TB patients were unregistered migrants and 91%(68/75) of TB patients has to pay anti TB treatment costs even free TB treatment policy launched by Thai Government since 2006. There was limited knowledge about free TB treatment policy even though they had quite acceptable TB knowledge. Language barriers, unable to take leaves from employers and legal status are the biggest challenges for being delay to access anti TB treatment and lost to follow up. Certain hospitals have regulations like not to engage any unregister migrant patients are still applying. There was no clear policies for unregister migrant and MDR treatment protocol between Ministries and health service providers. Intercountry patient referral system was established in southern part of Thailand Ranong- Myanmar Kawthaung border. Conclusion: Though TB policies in Thailand are aligned with human rights perspective, patients’ charter for TB care, no discriminations among Thai and Non Thai but poor integrated policy, lack of social protections and language barriers are still the barriers to tackle TB burden in hard to reach migrant population in Thailand.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
