9.M. Workshop: Migration and health
Authors:   Organised by: Tunisian Observatory on Social and Health Inequalities,   Chair persons: Chokri Arfa - Tunisia, Belgacem Sabri - Tunisia
Published: October 2020

Migration has witnessed important development worldwide and in the Mediterranean region because of globalization, political and economic transformations and climate changes. Global agreements on trade in service in addition to deteriorating working conditions have facilitated movement of health professionals from countries of the south to countries of the north with dramatic implications on health systems. The middle east and North Africa region are presently hosting the highest numbers of refugees and migrants fleeing wars and civil strives in South East Asia, Sub Saharan Africa and Middle East. They live in difficult conditions and do not access quality health care services.

The geostrategic position of Maghreb and North African countries and their historic ties with Europe imposes to build collaboration and solidarity to deal with the issue of migration and health. Refugees and migrants in Northern and Southern banks of the Mediterranean lack appropriate health and social services, often provided by generous civil society organizations with limited commitment from national governments. Also, their vulnerable status makes them easy targets for international and national human trafficking gangs. Professional associations and scientific societies and schools of public health have an important advocacy role through research and generation of evidence.

Health professionals from countries of the southern Mediterranean countries are migrating at increasing pace for several reasons including worsening working conditions to countries of the north and mainly to Europe. Such uncoordinated migration is negatively impacting on health service delivery in countries and it is representing a serious challenge to health systems. Unfortunately, countries of the North, apart from Germany in relation to nurses migrating from Vietnam, are not applying the WHO code of ethics in international recruitment of health professionals.

The objectives of the workshop are to: Document gaps in health and social services provided to refugees and migrants as well as issues related to human trafficking among refugees and migrants.Share experiences among countries of the region in provision of health and social services to migrantsAdvocate human right approach in access to decent health and social services to refugees and migrants in Europe and southern Mediterranean countries.Plea for the implementation of the WHO code of ethics in international recruitment of health professionals.

Presentations during the workshop: Human trafficking among refugees and migrants in Tunisia: By Dr. Belgacem Sabri.Health promotion for migrants in Morocco: Progress, challenges et prospects, By Pr. Abderrahmane Maaroufi.Brain drain of Tunisian competencies: The case of health professionals: By Pr. Lassaad Laabidi, and Dr Belgacem SabriMapping of access of refugees and migrants in Tunisia in access to social and health care services by Pr. Chokri Arfa.

Key messages

Advocate human right approach in access to decent health and social services to refugees and migrants in Europe and southern Mediterranean countries. Plea for the implementation of the WHO code of ethics in international recruitment of health professionals.