Child dies as malaria outbreak hits Maniq tribal people
A child has died and at least five others are bed-ridden following an outbreak of malaria that has hit a group of Maniq or Mani tribal people in the forest in Phatthalung's Pa Bon district over the past two months.
The group, known as the "Rak Pa Bon" Maniq people, have had more frequent visitors from the outside world since they changed from their tradition of relocating every 20 to 30 days to once every six to seven months. They have also adopted some aspects of a city-dwelling lifestyle and diet.
There are concerns the outbreak could become chronic as their longer stay in one place can result in an accumulation of garbage and lack of hygiene.
Maniq people - commonly known as Sakai and are among the world’s last hunter-gatherer societies - dwell in Banthat Mountain Range's forest areas of Yala, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Trang and Satun.
The population of 500 is the only Negrito ethnic group in Thailand who cannot speak Thai.
In the past, the Maniq would treat illnesses by themselves as per the tribal wisdom and familiarity with herbs but herbal plants have been diminishing due to the shrinking forestland.
The tribe now needs help from the outside world to tackle ailments.
The Interior Ministry's Provincial Administration Department and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) last year began to assist Maniq people for Thai nationality applications based on bloodline, to help them access healthcare and welfare.
As of August, 2018, a total of 312 Maniq people had obtained Thai ID cards and thus registered with the NHSO healthcare scheme.