WHO calls on governments and partners to redouble efforts to build inclusive health systems. The UN noted progress in creating inclusive health systems for refugees and migrants Refugees and migrants
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a marked positive shift in the way states approach the health of refugees and migrants. New data shows that more than 60 countries – two thirds of the survey respondents – have already included these populations in their national health policies and legislation.
The WHO report is based on information received from 93 countries. It will form the basis of the first global database designed to track progress towards inclusive, migrant-friendly health systems.
Migration, the report says, has been a driving force of cultural, social and economic development throughout human history. Today, more than a billion people – one in eight in the world – live as refugees or migrants. Reasons for displacement range from conflict and natural disasters to seeking education, work or family reunification.
However, many migrants face serious barriers to accessing health care, increased risks of infectious and chronic diseases, mental health problems, and unsafe living and working conditions.
“Inclusion benefits everyone”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that refugees and migrants are not only recipients of care, but also health workers, caregivers and community leaders: “Health systems can only be truly universal when they serve everyone. A new WHO report on migrant and refugee health shows that inclusion benefits entire societies and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.”
The World Report on Advancing the Health of Refugees and Migrants shows that governments are increasingly drawing on scientific evidence and international standards to shape migration and health policies. Examples from all six WHO regions show how this works in practice: expanding insurance coverage for migrants in Thailand, the use of intercultural mediators in Belgium, and the participation of migrant communities in primary health care decision-making in Chile.
Problems persist
In terms of overall progress, the report points to remaining gaps. Only a third of countries regularly collect and analyze migrant health data within national information systems. Less than half include refugees and migrants in emergency preparedness plans.
Training of health care providers to take a culturally sensitive approach remains limited, and information campaigns to combat misinformation and discrimination are implemented in only a few countries. Access to services remains uneven: while refugees are more likely to receive health care, internally displaced persons, migrant workers and international students face restrictions. The participation of refugees and migrants in health management processes remains minimal.
WHO calls on governments and partners to redouble their efforts to build inclusive health systems. The organization recommends including refugees and migrants in national strategies, improving data collection and use, strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, tailoring approaches to the needs of different migrant groups, increasing the participation of migrants themselves in planning and management, and countering misinformation.