By Our Correspondent
National News – The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments around the world to integrate refugees and migrants into their national health policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services.
The appeal came on Friday following the release of a new global report assessing progress on migrant and refugee health systems.
The organisation emphasised that inclusive health policies are critical as global migration continues to increase.
The WHO report revealed that more than 60 countries now include refugees and migrants in their national health policies and legal frameworks.
The data was drawn from 93 WHO member states and forms the first global baseline for monitoring progress in building inclusive health systems for displaced populations.
According to the agency, the shift reflects growing recognition that migration is a defining feature of modern societies and must be considered in healthcare planning.
The report highlighted that more than one billion people worldwide currently live as migrants or refugees.
These movements occur due to several reasons, including conflict, natural disasters, economic opportunities, education, and family reunification.
Despite their growing numbers, many migrants still face barriers to healthcare access, including discrimination, limited insurance coverage, and language challenges.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said migrants and refugees are not only recipients of healthcare but also contribute significantly as healthcare workers, caregivers, and community leaders.
He stressed that health systems can only achieve true universality when they serve everyone without discrimination.
The report also presented case studies from different regions demonstrating how countries are improving migrant healthcare.
For example, Thailand expanded migrant health insurance coverage, Belgium introduced cross-cultural communication mediators in hospitals, and Chile included migrant representatives in primary healthcare decision-making.
These initiatives, WHO said, show that evidence-based policies can help countries respond effectively to migration-related health challenges.
However, the organisation warned that significant gaps still remain.
Only 37 per cent of surveyed countries collect and analyse migration-related health data within national health information systems.
Similarly, just 42 per cent include migrants in emergency preparedness or disaster response plans, while fewer than 40 per cent provide cultural-sensitivity training for healthcare workers.
WHO called on governments, donors, and development partners to accelerate efforts to strengthen migrant-responsive health systems.
According to the agency, investing in refugee and migrant health not only improves social integration but also strengthens national health security and reduces long-term healthcare costs.
