This project is the first private, not-for-profit health protection scheme for unregistered migrants, stateless persons, refugees, mobile populations and poor border communities.
Context
Thailand is recognized for its significant achievements in universal health coverage (UHC), but there remain substantial unmet healthcare needs for unregistered migrants and some stateless persons. In March 2021, official records indicated approximately 1.7 million registered migrants in the country, and potentially more than 1 million unregistered migrant workers still residing in the country. Unregistered migrants without health insurance from the Thai government, particularly women and children, are the primary target beneficiaries of the M-Fund protection program.
Description
This project is increasing Thailand’s UHC by giving access to health protection for migrants and stateless persons, thereby reducing out- of-pocket spending on health, and offering the same health services to all. As of October 2024, 87,000 members had registered since the start of the project in 2017, with a majority of women, and 122,000 consultations and 17,000 hospital admissions have been covered by M-Fund. This was achieved by developing strong public-private partnerships with hospitals and clinics offering medical services to M- Fund members, by liaising and partnering with other organizations referring pregnant women among migrant populations for enrollment, and by accompanying migrant community villages throughout their pathway to care.
Impact
Enrollment to the M-Fund has been constantly increasing in Thailand and Myanmar. Activities have been initiated in Cambodia in an area along the Thai-Cambodia border, to cover cross-border populations. The M-Fund’s results have been so spectacular that international donors are considering supporting its implementation in other countries in the region.
