Thai Union Empowers Migrant Workers as Health Volunteers to Strengthen Inclusive Healthcare in Samut Sakhon

BANGKOK, October 24, 2025 - Thai Union Group PCL, a global seafood leader, has launched a Migrant Health Volunteer Program to strengthen inclusive healthcare for migrant workers in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, in partnership with the Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office, the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University, and the Proud Association. Through this program, migrant workers are trained as health volunteers, enabling them to support their communities and serve as a bridge between migrant workers and healthcare providers.

Since its launch in September 2024, the program has trained 109 migrant workers living and working in Samut Sakhon, equipping them with practical health literacy in preventive care, healthcare rights, and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through a combination of online and on-site sessions. After completing their training, the volunteers have been actively assisting in the Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital and community health activities, with 23 serving as interpreters, working alongside Thai health officials and Village Health Volunteer (VHV) to facilitate communication with migrant patients.

Designed with a strong focus on NCDs, the program directly addresses one of Thailand's most pressing health challenges. NCDs account for 74% of all deaths in the country and affect both Thai citizens and the migrant workforce. Outpatient data from Samut Sakhon show that the most common health issues among migrant workers are NCD-related, including work-related muscle disorders, hypertension, and diabetes, underscoring the need to raise awareness of lifestyle-related health risks, including excessive energy drink consumption, high-sodium diets, and smoking.

"The Migrant Health Volunteer Program reflects Thai Union's Healthy Living commitment and our responsibility to the people who are part of our business and our communities," said Sammie Ho Dumas, Senior Director, Sustainability & Social Impact at Thai Union Group. "Access to accurate information on everyday health issues, including non-communicable diseases and behavioral risk factors, empowers people to make informed decisions. Migrant workers are valued members of our communities, and we remain committed to supporting their holistic well-being while fostering healthier, thriving environments where Thai Union operates."

"Samut Sakhon is a province known for its ethnic diversity," said Manunchaya Inklai, President of the Proud Association. "Building a strong and resilient community requires participation from all sectors. One effective way to achieve this is by empowering migrant workers to serve as Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs). By equipping them with knowledge about their rights, health, and disease prevention-particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-we can promote sustainable health care within migrant communities. When these volunteers understand their rights and responsibilities, they can share this knowledge with their families, friends, and peers, helping to improve the overall health and quality of life across the wider community."

"The Migrant Health Volunteer Program is a meaningful collaboration that strengthens health knowledge among migrant workers-particularly in areas such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), potential health risks, and access to health care and insurance," said Dr. Prakit Sarathep, M.D., Chief of Public Health, Samut Sakhon Province. "The Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office is pleased to integrate this initiative into our programs and will continue to support the ongoing development of volunteer capacity to meet the standards set by the Department of Health Service Support."

Beyond improving their own health, volunteers inspire their peers and help foster a more inclusive public health system.They support vaccination drives, connect fellow workers to health insurance, and share knowledge across construction sites, dormitories, workplaces, and child centers. To date, 1,500 community members have benefited from their outreach.

Building on the success of the Migrant Health Volunteer Program, the Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office will integrate the initiative into its ongoing work, including additional training for existing migrant health volunteers. This training will equip volunteers with updated knowledge and skills in line with the standards of the Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health. Upon completion, volunteers will be officially registered with the Department of Health Service Support, enabling them to continue advancing equitable healthcare across the province.