Migrant Sensitive Health Systems

Migrants: Starting Point

Sensitivity: looking at the migrant deep into the eyes; safeguarding his/her dignity in the health care encounter and building self-esteem

Migrant-Sensitive Health Systems

• Health systems that consciously and systematically incorporate the needs of migrants into health financing, policy, planning, implementation and evaluation

• Rationale: – Migrants have specific needs– Migrants have a right to care– Need for health care providers to improve efficiency and

efficacy– Utilization benefits public health and other outcomes

• Understand the needs of migrants at their various locales (origin, transit and destination), including the health needs of migrant returnees and their families.

• Ensure that migrants have access to health information and services.

• Ensure participation of migrant communities at all levels: in policy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Migrant-Sensitive Health Systems

• Migrant-Sensitive Workforce• Language services• Culturally informed care delivery• Culturally competent support staff• Availability, accessibility and

affordability• Enabling for migrants to access

HONG KONG

1. Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) - provides migrant workers with a handbook, Your Guide to Services in Hong Kong, including employment legislation; info on health care system; address/hours of operation of major health institutions, including charges; list of essential medical-related questions)

2. Race Discrimination Ordinance- prohibits discrimination on the basis of race- allows for an interpreter for migrants if needed in the hospital

HONG KONG

3. Sex Discrimination Ordinance-prohibits employers from refusing to hire or terminating a woman on

the basis of pregnancy (includes migrant domestic workers)

4. Mandatory Health Insurance-HK$100 fee inclusive of check-up, laboratory exams, medicines, etc.

for any kind of illness in designated government hospitals

5. No mandatory HIV testing

PHILIPPINES

• Deployment of Filipino Medical Attaches and Social Welfare Officers in selected foreign posts– Countries with high numbers of women migrant workers (7 countries)– Dispense medical advice and information

• PhilHealth Overseas Workers’ Programme– Offices in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, etc.– Premium payment for OFWs is lower than non-OFWs– Standard medical benefits (for Filipino citizens)– Coverage for dependents in the Philippines– Reimbursement for confinement abroad– Special package includes TB, SARS, Avian Flu, Malaria, etc.

THAILAND

NGO services• Hiring trained migrant health assistants• Able to provide outreach, translation in hospitals,

including VCCT

Thailand government• Health insurance for registered migrants comparable to

Thai nationals• Annual health exam for treatment, not for exclusion