Publications Search
This publications portal is a repository of all IOM migration health publications from 2006 to present where IOM was a primary contributor.
Publications include peer-reviewed scientific papers, technical reports, training guides/manuals, policy briefs/discussion papers, factsheets, newsletters, research reviews, conference and poster presentations. These are categorized by topic, author, country/region covered as well as by year, language, and type of publication. The map reflects the countries covered by the publications.
To browse or search: simply use the filter options on the left-hand side. Alternatively, you can enter keyword/s in the search box. Selecting a specific publication will lead to a ‘download’ link or link to the website where the document is housed. Here is the step-by-step guide for your reference.

Neglect of low-income migrants in COVID-19 response
Author/s: Anuj Kapilashrami, Anns Issac, Jeevan Sharma, Kolitha Wickramage, Ekatha Ann John, Divya Ravindranath, Roomi Aziz, Patrick Duigan
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…
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International Consultation on Pre-Departure Health Assessments: Migrations health assessments as a public health good
Author/s: IOM, Government of Sri Lanka
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…
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Migration Health Research to advance evidence based policy and practice in Sri Lanka
Author/s: IOM
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…
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Is Sri Lanka prepared for yellow fever outbreaks? A case study
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Suneth B Agampodi, Davide Mosca, Sharika Peiris

Globalization of leptospirosis through travel and migration
Author/s: Medhani Bandara, Mahesha Ananda, Kolitha Wickramage, Elisabeth Berger, Suneth Agampodi
Abstract: Leptospirosis remains the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world, commonly found in tropical or temperate climates. While previous studies have offered insight into intra-national and intra-regional transmission, few have analyzed transmission across international borders. Our review aimed at examining the impact of human travel and migration on the re-emergence of Leptospirosis. Results suggest that alongside regional environmental and occupational…
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Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in a foreign resident visa holder and implications of a growing inbound migrant flow to Sri Lanka
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, S Samaraweera, Sharika Peiris, J Elvitigala, ATND Patabendige
Abstract We present a case of an international labour migrant worker from India who acquired multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) as a result of poor treatment compliance throughout his work and travel history. The travel to Sri Lanka was made under the resident visa scheme. Currently there are no mandatory health assessment requirements for inbound migrants such as resident visa holders to Sri Lanka. The diagnosis of MDR-TB was made at a district level chest…
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“Don’t forget the migrants”: Exploring preparedness and response strategies to combat the potential spread of MERS-CoV virus through migrant workers in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Sharika Peiris, Suneth Agampodi

High attack rate for malaria through irregular migration routes to a country on verge of elimination
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Risintha Premaratne, Sharika Peiris, Davide Mosca
Abstract Irregular migration in the form of human smuggling and human trafficking is recognized as a global public health issue. Thirty-two cases of Plasmodium falciparum were detected in 534 irregular migrants returning to Sri Lanka via failed human smuggling routes from West Africa in 2012, contributing to the largest burden of imported cases in Sri Lanka as it entered elimination phase. Beyond the criminality and human rights abuse, irregular migration plays an…
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Country Report Card on “Health of Migrants” Resolution
Author/s: Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka
Progress made and challenges faced by the Government of Sri Lanka on advancing the resoluton on 'Health of Migrants", adopted 25th of January 2008 at the 122th session of the World Health Assembly.
Since the WHA resolution was passed, the Government of Sri Lanka has progressed rapidly in developing a National Agenda on the Health of Migrants, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health. The Presidential manifesto, the “Mahinda Chintanya” also makes…
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