A language barrier most deadly

Many migrant workers face a language barrier in Thailand but for those seeking medical attention this can have life-threatening consequences, prompting one hospital in Samut Sakhon to recruit interpreters to ensure their safety and generally improve conditions for them here.

Medical staff take passports of migrant workers for ID checks as they turn up for a medical examination as part of their registration process at a hospital in Bangkok. An increasing number of migrant workers seeking medical attention has prompted the employment of interpreters at Samutsakhon Hospital in Samut Sakhon, home to large communities of migrant workers from Myanmar.  Somchai Poomlard

Packed with workers from Myanmar, Samutsakhon Hospital has employed a team of interpreters to explain everything from medical procedures to prescription labels as hundreds of workers from the neighbouring country queue up daily to see the doctors.