Immigrant Health Policy and Management by Local Administrative Organization: A case study of Ontai Municipality, San Kamphaeng District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This community participatory action research aimed at examining guidelines for transnational worker health management of On Tai Municipality in Chiang Mai Province.  The municipality has been affected by the settlement and cohabitation of migrant workers who might bring about the recurrence of disappeared diseases.  Findings showed that the health management is divided into three phases. First, the Pre-Departure Phase involves the municipality cooperating with the Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital and the Provincial Public Health Office for conducting preliminary medical checkups, registration, screening for those inflicted with communicable diseases, and records of their residences. Second, the Destination Phase is concerned with vaccination of the immigrants and formation of labor volunteers in charge of health and information provision on a regular basis. Third, the Deportation or Relocation Phase is related to immigrant workers reporting to officials where to move to before getting their health reports. Therefore, each carries with him or her treatment history and evidence and their reports enable officials to know where their destinations are. In the future, the data of these immigrants will be accessible by all local administrative organizations. Nevertheless, the entire management system must be done carefully in regard to policy, responsibility, budget, and personnel, otherwise there might be the abuse of power or corruption problems.