Hanoi – Over 160 officials, experts, and scholars from ASEAN gathered in person and online for the international workshop titled Migration and Health for Migrants in ASEAN. Led by Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with ASEAN Member States, the workshop aimed to enhance cooperation in improving the health and well-being of migrants.  

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provided support for the event. 

The ASEAN region has long been a significant hub of origin, transit, and destination countries for migrants and their families. Asia accounts for a substantial number of migrants (106 million), with over 60 percent of all international migrants residing in Asia (80 million).  

The ASEAN region records the highest number of international migrants in Asia, following India and the People’s Republic of China. Over the past three decades, international migration rates within the ASEAN member states have witnessed a significant increase as people of diverse genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and ethnicities migrate due to various push and pull factors. 

Access to healthcare services, particularly for cross-border migrants, needs to be streamlined and improved. The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration and the need for cross-border referral mechanisms, especially in pandemic situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Notably, some countries in the region are recorded as the countries with the highest prevalence of TB, HIV, and malaria. The Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam are among the top 30 countries with the highest TB incidence globally.  

Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Viet Nam’s Vice Minister of Health, highlighted the workshop's significance in collectively assessing migration trends and impacts on socio-economic development. “The International Workshop on Migration and Health for migrants in ASEAN is an excellent opportunity for all ASEAN Members to collectively assess the current situation and trends of migration in the region and the world, and its impacts on socio-economic development.” The Vice Minister added, “We can share lesson learned, initiatives and policy recommendations to promote the health of migrants in ASEAN to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN member states as well as with our partners in migrant health.” 

IOM's Chief of Mission in Viet Nam Park Mihyung, stressed the importance of regional collaborations to ensure the health and well-being of migrants, aligning with the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“In a world where an increasing number of people are on the move, regional collaborations and partnerships are crucial to enhance the health and well-being of migrants. Healthy migrants contribute to healthy communities,” Park said. 

“I am proud that IOM and ASEAN nations have taken a positive step toward advancing migrant health agenda in accordance with the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). By aligning with the GCM with the SDGs and World Health Assembly Resolutions, we have a significant opportunity to promote the health of migrants, foster multi-sectoral partnerships, and develop data-driven policies in ASEAN,” Park added.  

The workshop aligned with ASEAN's commitment to prioritize migrant health, as outlined in the ASEAN Post 2015 Health Development Agenda.  

In Vietnam, IOM has made significant contributions to migrant health, including facilitating TB diagnosis and treatment across the Vietnam-Cambodia border and establishing the Migrant Health Working Group (MHWG).  

The MHWG, supported by IOM and WHO, serves as a coordination mechanism to manage migrant health issues and develop migrant-friendly health interventions and policies. 

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For further information: IOM Vietnam: Nguyen Ngoc Tram, National Communications Officer Email: ngocnguyen@iom.int Mobile: 0912893964