Migration Mainstreaming in Health Policies: the example of the Swiss Program “Migration and Health”

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1. Context:

Foreigners make up one-fifth of the total Swiss population. They constitute a quarter of the labour force and fund a significant share of our health care system. But studies show that they are less healthy than the local population. Migrants are exposed to greater health risks and have a more difficult time accessing our health care services. Their knowledge about health-promoting behaviour is often insufficient, and they experience communication problems in their dealings with health institutions.

Mainstreaming migration in the health sector

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Three Somali regions (Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland) have mainstreamed migration into their respective Health Sector Strategic Plans January 2013 – December 2016. There is recognition of the great reliance of the public health system on contributions from by bilateral donors, UN agencies, and NGOs, which are nevertheless short-term interventions. Similarly, diaspora contributions to human resource development are acknowledged; in some cases it is noticed that skills are concentrated in a few young well-trained staff from the diaspora.

Prime Minister’s Decree nr. 58-d (07.06.2013) regarding the appointment of Diaspora Focal Points

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Following the Government’s policy regarding the relations with the Diaspora and the cooperation with the international partners in the field of migration and development, the Prime Minister’s Decree nr. 58-d (of June 7th 2013) creates the framework for the implementation of the “whole-of-Government” approach in the field of DMD (Diaspora, Migration and Development).

IOM – UNDP Global Project “Mainstreaming of Migration into Development in Moldova” (MOMID) Phase I (2012 – 2013)

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The MOMID pilot project, implemented in the period 2012 – 2013 in the Republic of Moldova, supported the objective of the Moldovan Government to systematically integrate migration and development agendas and develop national policies on international migration and development for implementation by the relevant government agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations.

Mainstreaming migration into planning at the sectoral level

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Mainstreaming migration and development issues into national development planning is strategic for Jamaica as it aligns the national priority in the country’s first long-term development planning framework Vision 2030 Jamaica — National Development Plan. The Plan seeks to enable the maximization of the benefits of migration while minimizing the negative impacts.

Migrant Workers Family Development Policy (Regulation of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection No. 20/2010 – “Bina Keluarga TKI”)

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In line with the Presidential Instruction No. 3/2010 on Justice for All/Equitable Development, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection issued Regulation No.20/2010 on Indonesian Migrant Worker Family Development Policy (“Bina Keluarga TKI”) in order to empower migrant workers and their families.



This policy provides general guidelines and reference for national and local governments as well as communities to empower the economy, maintain harmony, well-being and protect families of Indonesian migrant workers.

Mainstreaming migration in the health sector

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The MIDA Ghana Health Project (2002-2012) enabled Ghanaian health professionals living in Europe to undertake temporary assignments to contribute to the development of human resources in the health sector in Ghana. The project was funded by the Netherlands and implemented by IOM in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ghana and Ghanaian diaspora professionals.

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