Migration Health Assistance

IOM’s Migration Health Division has the institutional responsibility to oversee, support and coordinate the Organization’s provision of migration health services globally. These services aim to meet the needs of States in managing health-related aspects of migration, and to promote evidence-based policies and integrated preventive and curative health programmes that are beneficial, accessible and equitable for vulnerable migrants and mobile populations. Recognizing that health serves as a catalyst for fostering positive migration outcomes, and in response to the Sixty-first World Health Assembly resolution on the health of migrants (May 2008), the Migration Health Division promotes policies and programmes that contribute to migrants’ improved physical, mental and social well-being, and enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of their home communities and host societies.

The Division provides technical guidance and policy advice and establishes partnerships with relevant governmental, multilateral, civil society and private entities in the domain of migration health. Through the Division’s different units, IOM addresses the needs of migrants and the public health needs of host communities; provides oversight for the Migration Health Assessment Programme, which evaluates the physical and mental health status of migrants either prior to departure or upon arrival; promotes access to equitable and quality health services for migrants and mobile populations; and provides technical standards and programme support in key thematic areas such as emerging and re-emerging diseases, HIV prevention and care, and psychosocial support.

Currently, IOM Kosovo is implementing partner in the Swedish Medical Programme in collaboration with the Swedish Government. IOM Kosovo is also responsible for the Migration Health Assessment Programme for nationals who are applying for a visa to Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.