ADDRESS HEALTH ACCESS CHALLENGES – IOM URGES

The International Organisation for Migrations has observed that the biggest challenge facing global health today is migration.

The United Nations agency, charged with overseeing the welfare of migrants, has made this observation as the world marks the International Migrants day, which falls every 18^th December.

The IOM has noted that migrants are among the most affected by the lack of access to health services.

Other adverse aspects, which affect migrants and noted by the IOM are language, culture differences, which have also been described as barriers to the welfare of migrants.

The IOM has further cited lack of affordable health services or health insurance, administrative hurdles, legal status and the fact that migrants often work extremely long and unsocial hours, among more key barriers.

Undocumented migrants, often at risk from violence, exploitation, poor living and unsafe working conditions due to their irregular legal status, are the most vulnerable among the migrant groups.

IOM Director-General William Lacy Swing has elaborated that the fear of deportation also means irregular migrants do not seek health assistance unless it’s an emergency or too late.

It has also been noted that the exclusion of migrants from health services and policies is not only a denial of the basic human right to health but also a misguided pandering to public fears and perceptions of migrants as a burden on social services.

The IOM Director-General has however noted that there is an acceptance among UN member-states, Zambia inclusive, to address the health inequities among vulnerable communities in their countries.

This is in the backdrop of the health systems in third-world countries, like Zambia, still lacking short of the acceptable service delivery even the indigenous people.

The sub-Saharan nation has had its fair share of securing the interest and giving shelter to migrants, renowned as refugees, due to civil and political unrest in regional countries.