Systems and mechanisms to develop health volunteers for the health of immigrant workforce in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 6 July 2021
Issue publication date: 20 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the systems and mechanisms at provincial level to develop health volunteers to improve health of the immigrant workforce in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study collected data from document research and in-depth interviews with 22 concerned people who worked at policy and provincial levels to develop health volunteers to improve the health of immigrant workforce. Data were collected from May to July 2017. Then, content of the conceptual framework was analysed. The research objectives were examined and summary and induction analysis interpreted data from documents, observations and interviews.
Findings
Ubon Ratchathani has developed a Thai village health volunteer network to provide health care to immigrant workforce. This consisted of four systems and one supporting mechanism, namely, selection of health volunteer, knowledge management on primary health care, welfare management and moral enhancement and resource and budget support. Development is driven through the committee under the mechanisms of government agencies, i.e. the provincial public health office together with non-government organizations and network partners.
Originality/value
The findings from this study could help develop health volunteers to significantly improve the health of the immigrant workforce in the Thai health service system.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to sincerely thank local people who participated in this study. Their acceptance, support and allowance of learning in the community made the study a success.
Citation
Suvarnathong, P., Chai-Aroon, T., Jiawiwatkul, U. and Intoo-Marn, P. (2021), "Systems and mechanisms to develop health volunteers for the health of immigrant workforce in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 372-389. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-07-2019-0064
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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