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Cross-border Tuberculosis Control along the Viet Nam and Cambodia Border

In 2020, Viet Nam was one of the 30 highest-burden countries globally with tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant TB, whereas Cambodia was one of the 30 highest-burden countries with TB. While both nations have made significant progress in reducing TB rates in recent years, they lack the financial resources needed to eliminate TB as a public health problem. Within this context of strained health resources, migrant populations – internal migrants within each of the two countries and cross…

Assessing the Ground Crossing Points of Nepal and Their Compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) to Prepare and Inform the Public Health Response to COVID-19

This study aimed to assess the status of IHR (2005) core capacity requirements at the designated ground crossings in Nepal in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative assessment was carried out at PoEs after preliminary assessment of 11 GCPs conducted by IOM jointly with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal. A total of 17 field researchers were mobilized for data collection at these GCPs from 11-14 December…

Neglect of low-income migrants in COVID-19 response

South Asia, home to around a quarter of the world’s population and 40% of the world’s poor, is being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The global response to the pandemic has focused mainly on containment of the contagion and “flattening the curve” through testing and strict social distancing, but these universal approaches fail to take account of resource limitations in countries in South Asia and ignore the realities of vulnerable populations, such as low-income migrants, internally…

Health profile of pediatric Special Immigrant Visa holders arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan to the United States, 2009–2017: A cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Background
The United States has admitted over 80,000 Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVH), which include children. Despite the increase in the proportion of SIVH admissions to the US over recent years, little is known about health conditions in SIV children. We report the frequency of selected diseases identified overseas and assess differences in selected conditions between SIV children from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Methods and…

Building responsive health systems to help communities affected by migration: An International delphi consensus

Abstract:

• Persons affected by migration require health systems that are responsive and adaptable to the needs of both disadvantaged migrants and non-migrant populations.
• The objective of this study is to support health systems for populations affected by migration.
• Materials and Methods: An international Delphi consensus process was used to identify policy approaches to improve health systems for…

Migration Health Research to advance evidence based policy and practice in Sri Lanka

Despite the growing recognition of the importance that migration health plays in advancing global health and sustainable development goals, there is a paucity of technical guidance and “lessons learned” documents to guide Member States, international organizations, academia, civil society and other stakeholders seeking to develop effective migration health policies and interventions using evidence-based approaches. Governments today are faced with the challenge of…

International Consultation on Pre-Departure Health Assessments: Migrations health assessments as a public health good

Pre-departure migrant health assessment forms an integral part of the immigration processes worldwide. Health assessment experts from the countries of origin and destination met for the first time to discuss the current pre-departure health assessment practices, challenges and opportunities for collaboration. This consultation was organized by the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations…

Is Sri Lanka prepared for yellow fever outbreaks? A case study

Health and Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region: Findings from a survey of men, women and children in Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam

Trafficking in human beings is a gross violation of human rights that often involves extreme exploitation and abuse. To date, there has been very limited robust research on the health consequences of human trafficking, particularly for various forms of labour in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study aims to fill critical gaps in the body of knowledge on the health risks and consequences of human trafficking in order to improve protections and care services. The…

Tuberculin Skin Tests versus Interferon-Gamma Release Assays in Tuberculosis Screening among Immigrant Visa Applicants

Objective: Use of tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) as part of tuberculosis (TB) screening among immigrants from high TB-burden countries has not been fully evaluated.

Methods: Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (MTBI) based on TST, or the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G), was determined among immigrant applicants in Vietnam bound for the United States (US); factors associated with test results and discordance…