The struggle for the political, economic and social rights of migrants and refugees is at many international roundtables, but the right to normal health coverage, beyond emergency care, is still very much in the making. A worrying issue, if we consider the precarious physical, emotional and mental conditions suffered by the migrant and that migration is an unstoppable phenomenon due to inequality, conflicts, disasters and climate change. “It is here to stay,” said the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, in the report on international migration 2017.
The discussion on the problem, with its local and global impacts, and public policy proposals will be the objective of the IV International Health and Migration Congress, to be held from January 11 to 13, 2018 in Puebla (Mexico), organized by the Rielo Institut for Integral Development and the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). It is supported by the World Federation for Health and Migration, the Società Italiana di Medicina delle Migrazioni (Italian Society of Medicine of the Migration), the Ministry of the Government of Puebla, the National Population Council and the UTPL Hospital (Ecuador), among other organizations.
The event is addressed to all countries that live the complex migratory reality, whether as societies of origin, destination, transit or return, and only one of these realities, two or all, can be presented. Therefore, local and national governments, organized civil society, businessmen, agencies, churches, researchers, academics, students and all kinds of responsible and people interested in the health of migrants are invited, with local, national and international impact.
Health is a crucial factor characteristic of migration and therefore the congress is not a meeting only for diagnosis, but to exchange proposals that improve the health conditions of the migrant population. To this end, a joint statement will be issued on the urgency of attending health according to the specificities of the populations that are moving. This manifesto will focus on infectious diseases, addictions, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, legal and economic aspects, public health, emergency and social services for migrants, and cultural elements involved in the health of the population that moves.
More information at: www.saludmigracionpuebla.com