Increase access of migrants in the Vietnam-Laos border area to TB diagnosis and treatment services

Launching ceremony of the Tuberculosis Control Project in Vietnam and Cambodia border areas, phase 2 on May 19. Photo source: IOM

In May 5, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) cooperated with the Vietnam National Tuberculosis Program (CTCLG), the Central Lung Hospital, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Prevention. Cambodia (CENAT) has launched the "Tuberculosis Control Project in Vietnam and Cambodia Border Areas" phase 2023 with financial support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The project aims to improve TB diagnosis and treatment for frequent travelers in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia, and enhance cooperation between health authorities in the four provinces of An Giang and Tay Ninh (Vietnam), Svay Rieng and Takeo (Cambodia).

People who frequently cross borders often face difficulties in accessing health care services due to lack of health insurance, language barriers, limited understanding of the health care system in destination countries, and discrimination. These obstacles can delay TB diagnosis and treatment, disrupt treatment, and lead to poor treatment outcomes and drug resistance (MDR-TB).

In the World Health Organization (WHO) Report 2022, Vietnam is still one of the 30 countries with the highest global burden of tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), while Cambodia is no longer on the WHO list of 30 global countries with a TB burden (2021-2025) and is still on the watch list.

In 2020, IOM collaborated with the Vietnam National Tuberculosis Program, the Cambodia Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control, to conduct a study to understand the barriers and favorable factors that border migrants face in accessing and using TB diagnosis and treatment services for border migrants in the four provinces mentioned above.

The results of this study are intended to assist relevant health authorities of the two Governments to develop cooperative activities to control TB in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia.

In Vietnam, IOM is working closely with the Migration Health Working Group, an inter-sectoral working group established by the Ministry of Health, to address important issues related to the health of migrants. Photo source: IOM

Speaking at the project kick-off ceremony, Ms. Park Mihyung, Head of IOM Delegation to Vietnam, emphasized that ensuring the health of migrants requires a comprehensive effort among the countries involved in their migration process. It is important to develop and complete a migrant-sensitive referral system to assist border migrants with TB and to facilitate the establishment of local TB and HIV/AIDS response teams in An Giang, Tay Ninh, Svay Rieng and Takeo provinces. Thus, it is possible to ensure uninterrupted TB treatment for border migrants thanks to all the health networks in this region.

“I also welcome the cooperation of agencies that are not active in the health sector, such as immigration authorities, border security, economic and development authorities. These efforts show that we all affirm the importance of healthy migrants to a prosperous economy,” said Park Mihyung.

Efforts to ensure the health of migrants are recognized by the World Health Assembly as an important global health goal and a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals. The project is also associated with the implementation of Decision No. 5608/QD-BYT on the plan to implement the Global Agreement on Migration issued by the Ministry of Health in December 12.

In Vietnam, IOM is working closely with the Migration Health Working Group, an inter-sectoral working group established by the Ministry of Health, to address important issues related to the health of migrants; At the same time, coordinate with relevant parties to promote the implementation of migrant-friendly health policies./.

Thu Hang