Regional: Greater Mekong Subregion Healthy Border Special Economic Zones Project

Health / Disease control of communicable disease - Disease control of non-communicable diseases and other priority programs - Health care finance - Health insurance and subsidized health programs

SEZs are driving economic growth in the GMS regional economic corridors. Over the past 50 years, SEZs have been successful in promoting export- and foreign-direct investment in Asia, providing strategic support for new policies and innovations. Since the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community in 2015, the number of SEZs has grown significantly. Currently, over 500 SEZs exist in the GMS region (excluding the People's Republic of China), and they are increasingly located in border zones to better access low cost labor, power, transport, and trading opportunities with neighboring countries.

Low-cost migrant labor helps drive SEZ border development. SEZs benefit from low labor costs by hiring migrant workers. In 2018, estimates show that roughly 3.9 million migrants came to Thailand from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. Migrant workers constitute over 10% of the 38.7 million Thai labor force, contribute around 6.6% of gross domestic product in Thailand, and send about $2.8 billion in remittances to their home countries. Further, migrant workers contribute significantly to the local economy, especially in border economic zones. The benefits of migration are not one way a recent study shows that two-thirds of migrant workers returning to Myanmar who reportedly had worked in Thailand have improved their financial situation. Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to health care shocks due to lack of financial protection, job security or family support. For women migrant workers, access to basic health care services is critical, especially sexual and reproductive services and protection from gender-based violence, which is currently lacking in many SEZs across the region.

SEZs underinvest in health leading to poor health outcomes. Existing SEZs have prioritized industrial parks as economic hubs; and investments in social services, like health services, are lacking. SEZs' capacity to provide health services is strained by the growing number of migrants. The situation is worsened due to poorly maintained hospitals, outdated equipment, and under-capacitated staff to meet growing demand. Few private hospitals are operational and affordable for most migrants, with statistics showing disease burdens to be higher in SEZ provinces than in non-SEZ provinces. Rates of suicide were higher in the 10 SEZ provinces of Thailand than nationwide, which may reflect the poorer socioeconomic outcomes in these areas. In Kayin State (Myanmar) and Savannakhet Province (Lao PDR), studies found much higher malaria infection rates than in the general population. As the region integrates further and countries establish more border SEZs, health investments in SEZs become more critical.

Low standards on occupational and environmental health for migrants. Industries located within SEZs often require work with hazardous chemicals, repetitive work, and awkward working postures, which have severe health effects. SEZs have weak enforcement of core labor standards, and rarely promote safe working conditions. As a result, adherence to environment and safety protocols often falls short of recommended standards. For women laborers, the problems are more complex, as access to sexual and reproductive health care is often limited.

No GMS country covers health care costs outside their borders. GMS countries, to different degrees, are ensuring health financial protection for their citizens: Thailand has a universal health coverage scheme, which allows those without employment-related health insurance access to free health facilities; Myanmar is working on providing an essential health service package to all for free; Lao PDR's national health insurance covers the majority of the population; and Cambodia's three major schemes are currently being merged to provide a comprehensive health protection framework. However, no regional, mutually beneficial health financing scheme currently exists to financially support migrants' access to health care. Only Thailand has a health insurance scheme for incoming registered migrants (compulsory migrant health insurance) provided by the Ministry of Public Health, and health insurance for formal sector workers under Social Security. Despite this, only 51% of Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam migrants in Thailand have any form of health insurance. Without coverage, migrants defer seeking necessary health care services. Moreover, many health facilities in border towns (especially in Thailand) are obliged to treat migrants should they need care; as a result, if the migrant is unable to pay, the facility (and therefore, the Thai government) is liable to pay the bill.

Inclusive cross-border and subregional cooperation on universal health coverage for men and women migrant and mobile populations improved

Health care service delivery in selected SEZs strengthened.

Regional health financing mechanism established