Countries worldwide are transforming health systems to deliver equitable care to 117 million forcibly displaced people, proving leadership can bridge humanitarian crises with sustainable solutions.
Story Snapshot
- WHO’s Sixth Global School on January 31, 2026, showcased real-world models from Colombia, Kenya, Thailand, and others integrating migrant health into national systems.
- Over 1 billion people on the move face barriers like discrimination and high costs, but primary health care expansions boost immunization and chronic care.
- Leaders like Dr. Tedros emphasize evidence-based reforms over temporary aid, strengthening systems for hosts and migrants alike.
- Short-term gains include embedded clinics; long-term aims target universal health coverage by 2030 despite persistent gaps.
Sixth WHO Global School Catalyzes Action
The World Health Organization convened the Sixth Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health on January 31, 2026, in Geneva. Participants focused on leadership translating policies into practice. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, declared humanitarian aid insufficient alone. WHO supports countries building evidence, capacity, and tools for sustainable services. This event highlighted scalable models serving 117 million forcibly displaced amid 1 billion on the move globally.
Colombia Scales Territorial Health Committees
Colombia expanded Territorial Health Committees to manage multi-hazard responses and cross-border services. These committees coordinate care for migrants crossing volatile borders. Local leaders integrate health data with emergency planning. This approach reduces fragmentation, ensuring continuity amid displacement flows. Results show faster responses to outbreaks and better resource allocation. Such models demonstrate practical leadership aligning policy with on-ground needs.
Kenya and Somalia Tackle Border Vaccinations
Kenya and Somalia launched transit-point vaccinations and zero-dose child tracking along an 800-kilometer porous border. Health teams station at key crossings to immunize children at risk. This initiative catches vulnerable kids before they vanish into informal camps. Coverage rates climbed as tracking systems linked with national registries. Dr. Santino Severoni, WHO migration health head, praised this for embodying accountability and innovation.
Vietnam and Thailand Embed Community Care
Vietnam formed an inter-ministerial Migrant Health Working Group, embedding migrant needs into national frameworks. Thailand placed a volunteer-co-led health center inside a migrant community, lifting immunization rates dramatically. These efforts prioritize primary health care as the backbone. Dr. Shams Syed, WHO primary care head, noted empathy-driven leadership fortifies systems for everyone. Volunteers bridge cultural gaps, fostering trust and uptake.
Jordan and Italy Expand Accessible Clinics
Jordan grew Healthy Community Clinics under the Ministry of Health, combining services with training and evidence. Italy’s Brescia clinic offers free consultations and chronic care continuity for undocumented migrants. These clinics cut out-of-pocket costs and ensure follow-up. Integration reduces emergency reliance, building resilience. Host communities gain from spillover infrastructure improvements.
NEWS RELEASE: Encouraging progress in inclusive health policies for refugees and migrants
.https://t.co/xDEba9yW5C— vijay banga (@kuku27) March 26, 2026
WHO’s 2019-2030 action plan affirms health rights for all, demanding national policy inclusion. Barriers like language, xenophobia, and legal hurdles persist despite progress. Experts stress temporary parallel structures yield to permanent systems. Strong national health serves citizens first, extending efficiently to transients without straining resources.
Sources:
WHO Refugee and Migrant Health Fact Sheet
El Tímpano: New State and Federal Policies Reshape Health Care Access for Immigrants in 2026
WHO: The Sixth WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health – Leadership from Policies to Action
