The World Health Organisation has called on countries to integrate the needs of refugees and migrants into their health policies, highlighting a significant shift in national responses to these populations.
In a statement, WHO welcomed the progress made and urged governments, partners, and donors to accelerate efforts by fully embedding refugees and migrants in national health policies, strategies, and plans.
The agency noted that new data shows a marked improvement, with more than 60 countries about two-thirds of those surveyed now incorporating refugees and migrants into their national health policies and legal frameworks.
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The new “World report on promoting the health and refugees and migrants monitoring progress on the WHO global action plan” shows that countries are relying on evidence.
It shows that even in politically sensitive contexts, countries are increasingly relying on evidence, data, science, and established norms and standards to guide how migration and health are addressed within national health systems.
Case studies from all six WHO regions illustrate how progress can be achieved in practice from expanded migrant health insurance coverage in Thailand, to the use of cross-cultural communication mediators in Belgium, and the inclusion of migrant community representatives in decision-making on primary health care delivery in Chile.
Drawing on data from 93 Member States, the report establishes the first global baseline for tracking progress toward inclusive, migrant-responsive health systems.
The UN agency stated that “human migration had been a defining feature of that shared history, driving cultural, social and economic developments across generations.”
“Today, over one billion people – over 1 in 8 globally live as refugees or migrants.
“Reasons for moving range from conflict and disasters, to economic opportunity, education or family needs.
“Yet many refugees and migrants face barriers to accessing care, heightened risks of infectious and chronic diseases, mental-health challenges, and unsafe living or working conditions,”it said.
Commending the report, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “refugees and migrants are not only recipients of care but also serve as health workers, caregivers, and community leaders.”
“Health systems are only truly universal when they serve everyone. WHO’s new report on the health of migrants and refugee shows that inclusion benefits whole societies and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges,” he said.
WHO noted that investment in refugee and migrant health deliver far-reaching dividends and they support better social and economic integration, strengthen the resilience of health systems and reinforce global health security.
“Inclusive, migrant-responsive health systems also reduce long-term costs by enabling healthy, well-integrated populations to contribute fully to the societies in which they live,” it added
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