An IOM nurse in Northern Thailand narrates how she helps refugees get healthy for resettlement. IOM, local and international organizations provide health care alongside the Thai authorities in all camps along the Thailand/Myanmar border. IOM's main role is to screen and treat TB and other communicable diseases prior to refugees leaving for third country resettlement.
To be eligible to live in the receiving countries refugees must be clear of Tuberculosis. Most patients need just six to nine months treatment before they can continue their resettlement. However, in the case of MDR (Multi-Drug Resistant) TB treatment can take two years, is often debilitating and very expensive.
Close to 100,000 have been resettled in third countries (principally the USA but also Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the EU).The current population of the camps is approximately 140,000 people.