Until 1995, SMRU focused its activities primarily in the refugee camps in the border area and a strong collaboration was established with non-govermental organisations (NGOs) to control malaria in the refugee population through the operation of "the Malaria Task Force" (MTF). This was largely successful and malaria is now a minor problem within the camps. As a consequence, whilst SMRU remains responsible for antenatal and obstetric care and the treatment of malaria patients in refugee camps such as Mae La, since 1995 it has increasingly extended its activities to reach out to the wider displaced populations who have little alternative access to malaria diagnosis and treatment or antenatal care. This is done in collaboration with the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and in close collaboration with the district hospitals and the Tak provincial health authorities. In 2001-2003 the Tak Malaria Initiative, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation deployed the malaria control strategy developed by SMRU in the refugee camps to all 200 affected villages in the province's border districts with substantial success. When the funding from the Gates Foundation came to an end, the MOPH took over the program.