Thai health services brace for refugee influx amid US funding cut
The Tak Provincial Public Health Office is preparing to accommodate a surge of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, anticipating around 40,000 to 50,000 people.
This preparation comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to halt funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Public health officials in the Nu Po Refugee Camp, located in Tak’s Umphang district, have noted that healthcare services there have been suspended since January 27. Currently, only emergency cases receive treatment, while non-emergency cases are not being addressed.
The region hosts nine refugee camps accommodating approximately 90,000 refugees. These camps were established over 30 years ago to aid those fleeing conflict in Myanmar, with consistent assistance from the United States and other Western nations.
The suspension of IRC funding has raised concerns for hospitals that have depended on this financial support to provide care for refugees. Local hospitals already face challenges in meeting the needs of Thai patients under the universal healthcare scheme, now facing additional pressure to support potentially tens of thousands of refugees. The main issue is how to manage this increased demand with the current resources available.
Pitakpong Chandaeng, the chief of the Tak Provincial Public Health Office, stated that officials recently convened to determine how best to handle the situation. Previously, patients from refugee camps were cared for by public health units funded by the IRC.
With funding now suspended, these units are focusing on treating general diseases, chronic conditions, psychiatric disorders, tuberculosis, and emergencies.
Dr. Pitakpong mentioned that these units might need to continue operating under these constraints while plans are made to seek funding from other NGOs.
Currently, there are three evacuation centres or temporary shelters in Tak, accommodating about 40,000 to 50,000 refugees: the Mae La Centre in Tha Song Yang district, Umpium Centre in Phop Phra district, and Nu Po Centre in Umphang district, reported Bangkok Post.
Worawit Tantiwattanasap, director of Umphang Hospital, suggested the establishment of a national fund to collect donations, emphasising humanitarian principles and ensuring that no refugee is charged for medical treatment.
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