SIXTY-FIRST WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY Agenda item 11.9
WHA61.17 24 May 2008
Health of migrants The Sixty-first World Health Assembly, Having considered the report on health of migrants;1 Recalling the United Nations General Assembly resolution 58/208 underlining the need for a high-level dialogue on the multidimensional aspects of international migration and development (New York, 23 December 2003); Recalling the first plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly on migration issues and the conclusions of the High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development (New York, 14–15 September 2006) with their focus on ways to maximize the development benefits of migration and to minimize its negative impacts; Recognizing that the revised International Health Regulations (2005) include provisions relating to international passenger transport; Recalling resolutions WHA57.19 and WHA58.17 on international migration of health personnel: a challenge for health systems in developing countries, calling for support to the strengthening of health systems, in particular human resources for health; Recognizing the need for WHO to consider the health needs of migrants in the framework of the broader agenda on migration and development; Recognizing that health outcomes can be influenced by the multiple dimensions of migration; Noting that some groups of migrants experience increased health risks; Recognizing the need for additional data on migrants’ health and their access to health care in order to substantiate evidence-based policies; Taking into account the determinants of migrants’ health in developing intersectoral policies to protect their health; Mindful of the role of health in promoting social inclusion;
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Document A61/12.
WHA61.17
Acknowledging that the health of migrants is an important public health matter for both Member States and the work of the Secretariat; Noting that Member States have a need to formulate and implement strategies for improving the health of migrants; Noting that policies addressing migrants’ health should be sensitive to the specific health needs of women, men and children; Recognizing that health policies can contribute to development and to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, 1. CALLS UPON Member States: (1) to promote migrant-sensitive health policies;
(2) to promote equitable access to health promotion, disease prevention and care for migrants, subject to national laws and practice, without discrimination on the basis of gender, age, religion, nationality or race; (3) to establish health information systems in order to assess and analyse trends in migrants’ health, disaggregating health information by relevant categories; (4) to devise mechanisms for improving the health of all populations, including migrants, in particular through identifying and filling gaps in health service delivery; (5) to gather, document and share information and best practices for meeting migrants’ health needs in countries of origin or return, transit and destination; (6) to raise health service providers’ and professionals’ cultural and gender sensitivity to migrants’ health issues; (7) to train health professionals to deal with the health issues associated with population movements; (8) to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation on migrants’ health among countries involved in the whole migratory process; (9) to contribute to the reduction of the global deficit of health professionals and its consequences on the sustainability of health systems and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals; 2. REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to promote migrants’ health on the international health agenda in collaboration with other relevant international organizations; (2) (3) to explore policy options and approaches for improving the health of migrants; to analyse the major challenges to health associated with migration;
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WHA61.17
(4) to support the development of regional and national assessments of migrants’ health status and access to health care; (5) to promote the inclusion of migrants’ health in the development of regional and national health strategies where appropriate; (6) to help to collect and disseminate data and information on migrants’ health;
(7) to promote dialogue and cooperation on migrants’ health among all Member States involved in the migratory process, within the framework of the implementation of their health strategies, with particular attention to strengthening of health systems in developing countries; (8) to promote interagency, interregional and international cooperation on migrants’ health with an emphasis on developing partnerships with other organizations and considering the impact of other policies; (9) to encourage the exchange of information through a technical network of collaborating centres, academic institutions, civil society and other key partners in order to further research into migrants’ health and to enhance capacity for technical cooperation; (10) to promote exchange of information on migrants’ health, nationally, regionally, and internationally, making use of modern information technology; (11) to submit to the Sixty-third World Health Assembly, through the Executive Board, a report on the implementation of this resolution.
Eighth plenary meeting, 24 May 2008 A61/VR/8
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