Transborder Health Services in Southern Isan amid the Situations and Contexts Relevant to the Countries of Origin (Cambodia and Lao PDR) Transborder Health Services in Southern Isan amid the Situations and Contexts Relevant to the Countries of Origin (Cambodia and Lao PDR)
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research has three objectives1): to study the situations and contexts related to health services in the Cambodia and Lao PDR border areas; 2) to study the factors causing Cambodians and Laotians to cross the border into Ubon Ratchathani province and nearby provinces to seek health services, and 3) to study the patterns of the Cambodians’ and Laotians’ border crossings for health services in Ubon Ratchathani and nearby provinces. This research used a qualitative research methodology. The study participants consisted of public health personnel from Cambodia and Lao PDR, the patients, and their relatives or people who have close relationships with the Lao and Cambodian patients.
The results are as follows. Firstly, the region’s geographical characteristics and the countries’ national health strategies and policies are the two main situations and contexts related to health services in the border areas of Cambodia and Laos. Geography is both a push factor and a pull factor, while the local public health strategies and policies are the factors driving border crossings to seek health services. Secondly, the factors that led Cambodian and Laotian people to cross the border into Ubon Ratchathani and neighboring provinces to seek health services consisted of geographical, social, and personal factors, such as seeking a health service system that suites them and their willingness to purchase healthcare services in the destination country. Lastly, two forms of border crossings for seeking health services in Ubon Ratchathani Province and the nearby provinces were identified among the Cambodian and Laotian patients. One of them is the use of official documents provided by the country of origin, namely passports, border passes, and temporary border passes. They are mostly used by the group that wishes to receive health services in the inland areas of the destination country. The second form of border crossing preferred by the group that wishes to receive health services in health facilities located along the border is the bordercrossings that do not require formal documents.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Arturo, V. B. (2019). Mexican border cities in the state of Baja California address unmet healthcare needs from US residents. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(20), 4230-4247.
Buadoktoom, K. (2020). The Expansion of Private Clinic in Chiang Rai Province and the Practice of Cross Border Mobility Among the Customers from Myanmar and Laos. [in Thai]. Master thesis, Chiang Mai University.
Byrd, T. L. & Law, J. G. (2009). Cross-Border Utilization of Health Care Services by United States Residents Living Near the Mexican Border. Pan American Journal of Public Health, 26(2), 95-100.
Carrillo, G. B. (2011). Health and Borders Across Time and Cultures: China, India and the Indian Ocean Region Special Issue: Introduction. Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, 8(2), 1-7.
Charoenmukyanand, S. et al. (2013). A Study of the Situation of Health Service Use with Cambodians on the Thai-Cambodian Border: a Case Study of Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat Provinces. Bangkok: Research Office for the Development of Thai Health Security, Research Institute Health system.
Chin Ting, Trivia Y. (2020). Lifeline on the Other Side: Medical Travel of Cambodians to Surin, Thailand. BA. Thesis (Global Studies), National University of Singapore, Academic Year 2019-2020.
Dejun, S. et al. (2011). Cross-Border Utilization of Health Care: Evidence from a Population-Based Study in South Texas. Health Service Research, 46(3), 859–876.
Department of International Trade Promotion Ministry of Commerce. (2018). Handbook of Opportunity and Direction Trade and investment in Cambodia. Nonthaburi: Department of International Trade Promotion.
Foreign Patient Service Center, Sappasitthiprasong Hospital. (2019). Foreigner’s Patient information between October 2018 to September 2019.
Freddie, S. et al. (2021). Experiences of seeking healthcare across the border: lessons to inform upstream policies and system developments on cross-border health in East Africa. BMJ Journal, 11(12), 1-12.
Haritavon, N. & Sukkasem, Ch. (n.d.). Border Health: Crossing Borders to Receive Health Services in Thailand for Patients from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. [in Thai]. Bangkok: Institute of Health Systems Research.
Heng, M. B. & Key, P. J. (1995). Cambodian health in transition. British Medical Journal, 311(7002), 435–437.
Hfocus. (2015). Cambodia’s Health Business. [in Thai]. https://www.hfocus.org/content/2015/08/1063
Katz, S. J., Verrilli, D. & Barer, M.L. (1998). Canadians' Use of U.S. Medical Services. Health Affairs, 17(1), 225-235.
Kitiasa, P. (2002). People Across the Border: The Drama of Life and Crossing Borders in Isan Culture. [in Thai]. Journal of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 15(1/2002), 109-166.
Laungaramsri, P. (2002). Crossing Borders with Questions of Identity, Culture, Space, and Nationality. [in Thai]. Journal of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 15(1/2002), 1-16.
Mahaphon, N., Pattarakulvanich, S. & Rakphao, S. (1999). Border health care Cooperation Strategies. [in Thai]. Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 287–298.
Manager Online. (2005). Doctor Complains the Laotian’s Fashion Enthusiast Crosses the Mekong to Find Thai Doctor. [in Thai]. https://mgronline.com/indochina/detail/9480000007698
Österle, A. (2007). Health care across borders: Austria and its new EU neighbours. Journal of European Social Policy, 17(2), 112–124.
Oversen, J. & Trankell, Ing-B. (2010). Cambodians and Their Doctors: A Medical Anthropology of Colonial and Post-Colonial Cambodia. Copenhagen: NIAS Press.
Pacific Bridge Medical. (2017). Healthcare in Laos. https://www.pacificbridgemedical.com/publication/healthcare-in-laos/
Pearson, M. (2011). Medical Connections and Exchanges in the Early Modern World. Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, 8(2), 1-15.
Phraxayayong, V. (2009). History of Aid to Laos: Motivations and Impacts. Chiang Mai: Mekong Press Foundations.
Rattanawong, M. (2015). Factors in attracting investment to Cambodia: a case study of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited. [in Thai]. BA thesis (Southeast Asian Studies), Thammasat University. https://km-ir.arts.tu.ac.th/
Rivera, J.O., Ortiz, M. & Cardenas, V. (2009). Cross-border purchase of medications and health care in a sample of residents of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Journal of Natural Medical Association, 101(2), 167-173.
Souksakit, T. (2017). Health care Service Center to Increase Competitiveness of National Economy. [in Thai]. Ratthapirak Journal, 58(2), 39-51.
Srithongtham et al. (2013). Impact of Lao, Cambodian, and Burmese migrant workers on the health service workload of hospitals along the border of Thailand. [in Thai]. Bangkok: Thailand Research Fund.
Thompson, C. (2011). Medical Migrations Afterword: Science as a Vacation?. Body & Society, 17(2-3), 205-213.
Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Health Office. (2021). The information on Service Usage for Foreign Patients. http://www.phoubon.in.th
Ward, H., Mertens, T. & Thomas, C. (1997). Health seeking behavior and the control of sexually transmitted disease. Health Policy and planning, 12(1), 19-28.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Overview of Lao Health System Development 2009–2017. https://apps.who.int
Interviews
Boonpradab, A. Deputy Director of Public Health, Surin Province and Director of Kab Choeng Hospital, Surin Province. Interview. June 9, 2021.
Keowmanee. (pseudonym). Deputy Head of Administration, Provincial Public Health Office, Lao PDR. Interview. September 6, 2021.
Khun Nong. (pseudonym). Head of Customer Service, Private Hospital. Interview. February 24, 2021.
Mao, B. Taxi Driver at O-Smach Resort, Samrong District, Oddor Meanchey Province. Interview. December 19, 2018.
Mui, P. Teacher at the Secondary School in Kabal Sapian District, Oddor Meanchey Province. Interview. November 10, 2016.
Nokkeow. (pseudonym). Thai-Cambodia Guide. Interview. March 29, 2021.
Peng, P. Head of the Cambodia-Thai Border Coordination Unit, O-Smach Area, Oddor Meanchey Province. Interview. March 25, 2021.
Samran, T. Head of Chong Chom International Communicable Disease Control Checkpoint. Interview. March 25, 2021.
Srisan, S. Deputy Governor of Surin Province. Interview. June 9, 2021.
Weerasaengpong, T. Sisaket Provincial Chief of Public Health. Interview. June 10, 2021.
