Refugees and migrants are a heterogeneous group and have a variety of health-care needs, which may differ from those of the host populations. Ensuring access to health services that meets the needs of these diverse populations is essential to respond to their right to health and to support them in achieving good physical and mental health.
WHO has issued a multi-country review, “Mapping health systems' responsiveness to refugee and migrant health needs”, and “Common health needs of refugees and migrants: a literature review” to support countries and territories worldwide in building health system capacity and resilience to provide quality people-centred health services for all, including for refugees and migrants. Health systems should incorporate in a systematic way the needs of these populations into national and local health policy, plans and strategies and should be sensitive to the needs of these populations, their languages, and their unique health problems.
“Mapping health systems' responsiveness to refugee and migrant health needs” provides an overview of the levels of health care accessible by refugees and migrants in 18 countries with a significant refugee and migrant population. This review identifies four broad models of care in response to the migration trends and health needs of refugees and migrants and discusses the various strengths and weaknesses associated with each model: (a) mainstream, where the health system accessed by the general population is used; (b) specialized-focus, where a separate stream of services designed to meet the specific health needs of refugee and migrant populations is the first point of contact; (c) gateway, where only basic checks may be available but entry to the main health services is provided; and (d) limited, where basic health services are provided by external actors.
“Common health needs of refugees and migrants: a literature review” draws on grey literature and peer-reviewed research to explore how the health needs of refugees and migrants may differ from those of the host population over their life-course. It covers child health, sexual health, reproductive health, mental health, preventive health, chronic diseases, communicable diseases, oral health, care for elderly people and care for those with disabilities. It looks specifically at the barriers and challenges that may prevent refugees and migrants from accessing health care over the whole life-course and considers how effective and responsive care can be provided to refugees and migrants in a culturally and linguistically sensitive way, avoiding exclusion, stigma, and discrimination.
These reviews inform the development of “Refugee and migrant health: Global Competency Standards for health workers” which will highlight the competencies and behaviors needed to provide high-quality care to refugees and migrants with the aim to support a competency-based outcomes approach to education and training for health workers who provide services to refugees and migrants. Achieving universal health coverage for these populations requires strong health systems with adaptable, well-trained and culturally competent health workers who are trained, supported and empowered to provide services that are responsive to the unique health problems of refugees and migrants.
Both the multi-country and the literature reviews were produced under the direction of the WHO Health and Migration Programme (PHM) in collaboration with the WHO Health Workforce Department and the Migrant and Refugee Heath Partnership (Migration Council Australia).