About Us
Background 
The Borderland Health Foundation (BHF) is a non-for-profit, non-confessional and non-political organization, registered in Thailand since December 2017. The Foundation is linked to the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), a field station of the Mahidol Oxford University Research Unit (MORU) based in Bangkok. While SMRU is primarily an academic research organisation, working with marginalized populations along the Thailand-Myanmar border since 1986, it has developed a strong humanitarian component. Professor Francois Nosten, Director of SMRU and his team have worked in collaboration with Thai Public Health, local leaders and migrant population to develop better access to quality evidence-based health care. The Borderland Health Foundation was established to carry out the humanitarian work of SMRU, to scale up and support the health projects, translating the results obtained by the research conducted by SMRU. The main areas of work are malaria, tuberculosis and maternal & child health.
BHF Vision
Marginalized populations can benefit from health care projects that are designed and implemented on the basis of robust evidence. The synergy between operational research and humanitarian programs will have a strong impact on the quality of life of people who are excluded from the public health services.
BHF Objectives
The Borderland Health Foundation works with the underprivileged populations living along 4 districts on the Thailand-Myanmar border: Mae Sot, Pobpra, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang in Tak province. The BHF has the following objectives:
- To promote public health services and health care for people at the border, with a focus on malaria, tuberculosis and maternal & child health.
- To support and coordinate research, professional development on major public health issues.
- To enhance public health by cooperating with relevant agencies and partners.
- To support improvement in public health knowledge in the population.
What does BHF do?
- The BHF volunteers included medical doctors, nurses and public health trainer who collaborate with Thai public health officers to disseminate information on malaria, tuberculosis and maternal & child health.
- BHF volunteers work together with SMRU staff at clinics at Wang Pha, Mawker Tai and Mae Salit as well as in the 2 TB treatment centres.
- BHF plans to organize with SMRU an annual forum on health issues relevant to organisations working with the border population, as well as monthly public seminar at the Borderline premises in Mae Sot
BHF Board of Committee and Advisors
Professor Francois Nosten, Director of SMRU and his team (Board and Advisors) have worked in collaboration with Thai Public Health, local leaders and migrant population to develop better access to quality healthcare.