Health Promotion and Assistance

In its continued effort to leave no one behind, IOM aims to ensure that migrants and their host communities are included in the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery – emphasizing increasing equitable access to healthcare and relevant information, while addressing the significant gaps in vulnerable populations in Thailand. IOM has been working closely with government counterparts and implementing partners to assist remote migrant communities and mobile populations to deal with the challenges of preventing and combatting the spread of COVID-19, with strong advocacy to put in place migrant-inclusive policies in Thailand.  

At present, IOM supports the Royal Thai Government’s national COVID-19 vaccination rollout efforts, which engage the assistance of trained migrant health workers and volunteers to improve vaccine accessibility and strengthen communications among migrants, resulting in a better understanding of the vaccine’s benefits and potential adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) and better access to vaccination centers.

In addition, IOM also reviews existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency responses to COVID-19 in collaboration with provincial health offices in border provinces and facilitates tabletop exercises to clarify responsibilities and responses in emergency situations, as well as ensure the continued improvement of disease surveillance.

In the area of tuberculosis response, IOM works on addressing the TB detection and diagnosis through active case finding in targeted temporary shelters on the Thai-Myanmar border, with further treatment for needed cases.