Field visit in Southern Thailand

Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU) and the Borderline Health Foundation (BHF) visited the Young Muslim Association of Thailand (YMAT), our local partner in Yala Province on 19-21 August. There are eight districts in Yala and we visited the District of Banang Sata, where the Bureau of Vector Borne Diseases (BVBD) reports the highest numbers of malaria cases (90% of which are P. vivax). 

The visit included the Tambon Health Promotion Hospital (THPH) and two malaria post workers. At a local school, the team met with representatives of the Public Health Office, Disease Control authority, the District Chief and malaria post workers. Prof Francois Nosten presented on SMRU’s malaria elimination work along Thailand-Myanmar border. The visit was also an opportunity for the YMAT team to discuss collaboration and cooperation within the project, Bridging Gaps: Malaria Elimination in Thailand Border Areas 2019-2020, supported by the DT Families Foundation via The Global Fund.