ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the problems of public health, particularly the threats ‘posed by infectious border diseases like malaria, human Immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV AIDS) and tuberculosis (TB),’ in the borderlands of India and Myanmar. The chapter makes an attempt to establish the correlation between migration and the spread of diseases in the border areas. The chapter also examines the ‘status of diseases among the bordering states of northeast India and Myanmar.’ It argues that ‘the India-Myanmar border is an artificial line which is superimposed on the socio-cultural landscape of the borderland.’ Owing to ‘historic ethnic linkages, people in the border villages particularly in places that share boundaries with Manipur and Mizoram, share cross-border land/property and have common ‘socioeconomic interests’ across the borders. Migration of cross-border communities like the Chins trying to escape the violence persecuted by the Myanmarese army in the Chin state of Myanmar is visible in these areas. The Chins travelled to Mizoram and settled in the state in search of livelihood. The Mizos on the other hand feel threatened due to the migration of the Chins and their increasing settlement in the border areas. The Chins are considered to be ‘illegal’ by the people of Mizoram. Apart from increasing discrimination in the job markets, the Chins have been facing serious problems related to public health. The chapter therefore argues that HIV and TB are likely to be caused by unregulated movement of people across the borderlands. Unregulated drug-trafficking and involvement of refugee/migrant Chin/ Kuki women in the flourishing sex industry adds to the problem of public health in the India-Myanmar borderlands. In conclusion, the chapter addresses the problem of public health through collaborative efforts between both the nations for an effective border health infrastructure, management and disease control strategy.
