The Development of a Disease Prevention and Control Model for Migrant Populations in Construction Worker Camps in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Migrant populations often experience limited access to appropriate medical and public health services, including challenges in obtaining health insurance coverage. Addressing these issues is therefore essential. The objectives of this study were to develop a disease prevention and control model, strengthen the capacity of migrant health coordinators, and promote access to health insurance among migrant populations residing in construction worker camps in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. This study employed an action research approach and was conducted in seven construction worker camps in Bangkok and the Metropolitan Area from September 2024 to August 2025. The process began with: 1) the planning phase, which involved stakeholder consultations, establishing operational guidelines, planning activities, and designing the study framework; and 2) the implementation phase, which included developing and training 70 migrant health coordinators, providing knowledge on disease surveillance, prevention, and control, as well as health hazards; supporting health education materials tailored to language and culture; delivering mobile health services and active health screenings for 977 individuals; conducting identity verification for 975 individuals; promoting access to health insurance; and improving environmental health and sanitation. 3) The evaluation phase, which involved follow-up visits, empowerment activities, monitoring, and assessment within the construction worker camps; and 4) the reflection phase, which included providing feedback, reviewing the implementation outcomes, and using the findings to refine the disease prevention and control model for migrant populations in construction worker camps in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. These interventions led to increased access to basic health screening services, improved enrollment in health insurance, enhanced environmental sanitation, and positive changes in health behaviors, thereby reducing disease occurrence and health hazard within construction worker camps. These interventions also fostered strong multisectoral engagement, involving government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and community sector, in the surveillance, prevention, and control of diseases among migrant populations. Therefore, continued collaboration with relevant agencies is recommended to expand and strengthen the model, including the development of Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs), as well as modern data and surveillance systems for migrant populations, enabling timely operational planning and evidence-based decision-making.