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.

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Neglect of low-income migrants in COVID-19 response

2020 Scientific report (Journal) English
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…

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

2017 Scientific report (Journal) English
Author/s: Kevin Pottie, Charles Hui, Prinon Rahman, David Ingleby, Elie Akl, Grant Russell, Li Ling, Kolitha Wickramage, Davide Mosca, Claire Brindis

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…

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

2016 Scientific report (Journal) English
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Suneth B Agampodi, Davide Mosca, Sharika Peiris

From Dec 5, 2015 to Oct 13, 2016, 4306 suspected cases of yellow fever were reported in Angola, with 369 deaths and an alarming case fatality ratio of 8·8%. Three countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and China, have reported imported cases from Angola. This is the first time yellow fever has been reported in Asia. Of the ten laboratory-confirmed yellow fever cases reported in China, six people reside in Fujian Province, an area where dengue…

Globalization of leptospirosis through travel and migration

2014 Scientific report (Journal) English
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…

Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in a foreign resident visa holder and implications of a growing inbound migrant flow to Sri Lanka

2013 Scientific report (Journal) English
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…

“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

2013 Scientific report (Journal) English
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Sharika Peiris, Suneth Agampodi

Abstract: From September 2012 to July 2013, 81 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including 45 deaths (a case fatality ratio of 55%) have been reported from eight countries. Human-to-human transmission is now confirmed showing potential for another pandemic of zoonotic disease, with an extremely high mortality rate. Effective surveillance strategies are required in countries with a high influx of migrants…

High attack rate for malaria through irregular migration routes to a country on verge of elimination

2013 Scientific report (Journal) English
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…